Town have suspended midfielder Jimmy Bullard for two weeks after an alleged drinking session earlier this week which saw the 33-year-old and striker Michael Chopra turn up to Thursday training more than an hour late. The one-time England call-up, who joined the Blues after his Hull contract was terminated after an alleged indiscretion on a pre-season trip to Slovenia, and Town’s top scorer spent Tuesday and Wednesday nights out in Chopra’s home city of Newcastle.
Manager Paul Jewell, who made the duo train with the youth squad on their return, is understood to have told Bullard to stay away from Town while the club decide what further action to take. The Blues boss has launched an investigation and will comment after Saturday’s game against Bristol City. Chopra, who has not been suspended, could also face action.
Several senior members of the Town squad were in London on Tuesday for a bonding session, enjoying drinks and a meal in the West End when the pair relocated their evening to Newcastle, where Chopra spends most of his time off with his young son.
The duo were spotted by a large number of Tweeters in various Newcastle night spots on both nights, including bars named Bijoux and Perdu, with a claim that at one stage the Blues midfield man was seen with his trousers down. Bullard was also said to be at a casino on Wednesday with his former Hull team-mate Nolberto Solano and Stoke’s Cameron Jerome.
In addition to Bullard, veteran Peruvian international Solano is also set for trouble as he missed a reserve game with his current club Hartlepool, manager Neale Cooper commenting: "Nobby didn't turn up, I cannot really comment at the moment. He was meant to be there, but never appeared. We will see what happens after that.''
New signing Ryan Stevenson, veteran Lee Bowyer or Northern Ireland international Josh Carson could take Bullard’s place on the Town bench for the Bristol City match.