x

Hunt Looking Forward to Facing Old Friend - Ipswich Town News

Town striker Noel Hunt is set to face friend Jason Pearce this weekend after the Leeds central defender today moved closer to joining Wigan, who are visitors to Portman Road on Saturday.

Pearce, a target for then Ipswich manager Paul Jewell when he was at Portsmouth, is on the verge of moving to the struggling Latics as boss Malky Mackay attempts to halt a form slump threatening to drag them into League One only two years after their FA Cup triumph.

Hunt, 32, said: "They are signing a good mate of mine in Jason. We were close friends and he even bought a house right across the road from me. His garage was closer to my place than his own.

"He phoned me on Wednesday night and said he had been told by Leeds that he didn’t have a future there and had to go.

"He’s delighted with the move because he wants to play and that’s something he hasn’t been doing recently.

"He’ll be hungry to prove a point if he plays on Saturday. He’s a tough boy and I’ll look forward to it — but there won’t be any banter going on.

"He doesn’t talk and will be so focused on his game that he will look straight through me and not even acknowledge me, even though we’ve been mates for years.

"Even in the tunnel, where you sometimes get lads speaking to each other, he’ll just stare ahead and won’t be distracted.

"It’s a serious, mental thing for him and having gone to a new club he’ll be looking to get off to the best possible start.”

Wigan, currently 23rd in the table, eight points from safety, are going through a major transition with the likes of Callum McManaman (West Brom), Shaun Maloney (Chicago Fire) and FA Cup final goalscorer Ben Watson (Watford) amongst those to move on, while Liam Ridgewell and Chris Herd have come in on loan from the Portland Timbers and Aston Villa respectively. Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker Billy McKay is also on his way to the DW Stadium.

Meanwhile, former Blues striker Jason Scotland has rejoined Hamilton Academical in a player-coach role having been released by the SPL club only a fortnight ago.

Another ex-Town man, defender Chris Swailes, was appointed new manager Martin Canning’s assistant last week.

What to read next:

U18s Host West Brom in First U18 Premier League Fixture
Town’s U18s will start their first ever U18 Premier League South campaign with a home game against West Bromwich Albion at Playford Road on Saturday 16th August (KO 11am).
Ndaba Completes Lecce Move
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba has completed his move from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock to Serie A Lecce.
McKenna: Hirst Primed For Good Season
Town boss Kieran McKenna believes striker George Hirst is “primed to have a good season” for the Blues, the frontman having netted three times in the Blues’ two public friendlies.
Hirst: Scotland Call-Up Has Made Me a Better Player
Town striker George Hirst says he has taken a lot from being in the Scotland squad and feels the international recognition has made him a better player.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney £35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.
U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.
U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia.
Hirst: Early Confrontation Sign of Morsy's High Standards
George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper.
Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.