Former loanee Jimmy Bullard is set to undergo a medical at Portman Road as he closes in on a return to the Blues. Boss Paul Jewell moved quickly to try to bring the 32-year-old back to the club as soon as news that Hull City were terminating his contract broke last week.

As reported earlier, owner Marcus Evans was at the club today, presumably to hold talks regarding Town's ongoing transfer targets, including Bullard and defender Ibrahima Sonko. The Blues appear to have fought off competition from QPR - whose move for Newcastle's Joey Barton may have seen their interest in Bullard wane - and Portsmouth to land the one-time England call-up.

In a perhaps not unrelated move, manager Paul Jewell's morning pre-match press conference has been moved back an hour with Bullard and his agent Simon Dent understood to be at the club this evening.

Bullard enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell with Town during the final few months of last season, winning the club’s Player of the Year award as he scored five goals in 16 appearances.

Town were keen to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis at the end of the campaign, but with two years remaining on his £45,000-a-week contract at the KC Stadium, manager Paul Jewell admitted that it would be a difficult deal for the club to negotiate with the Tigers.

Bullard, who cost the East Yorkshire club £5 million when he signed from Fulham in 2009, is understood to have held talks with Premier League QPR but with Rangers also unable to agree a deal with Hull.

The former Wigan and Peterborough man rejoined Hull for pre-season training but was suspended for a still undisclosed disciplinary incident on their pre-season training trip to Slovenia. After an internal enquiry, the Tigers terminated his contract last week.

Town desperately need a midfield playmaker and confirmation of the return of one of the club's most successful ever loanees would greatly improve the overall mood amongst supporters.

Photo: Action Images

Tractamatt added 19:53 - Aug 24 This is what we needed after the week we've just had, I never thought it would happen I have to admit, I even said so on this site.IT FEELS SO GOOD TO BE SO WRONG ,COYB things can only get better.
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Marcello added 19:54 - Aug 24 Really hoping this is true. Of course Town needs defenders, but only the presence of Jimmy around can help a lot for the team. :)
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PauloJulio added 19:55 - Aug 24 Hate to be negative but i will only truly believe it when he has signed on the dotted line!!
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dude added 19:55 - Aug 24 Jimmy Jimmy Bullard. He's not well 'ard. He scores goals like Andrew Cole and could do with eating a bit of lard. We love Jimmy Jimmy Bullard.
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SuperTommySmith added 19:56 - Aug 24 I pray to god he isn't on stupid money and that he signs in time for the Leeds game otherwise i wont see him before i go to uni
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steed added 19:56 - Aug 24 makes you wonder what other players evans was talking terms with today
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johnhazlebum added 19:57 - Aug 24 2 more players and we'll have a team, a manager and a coach who are completely sh*te.
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Northern_Branch added 19:57 - Aug 24 Leadbitter, you can pack your bags and get yourself on the M3
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MickeyMills added 19:58 - Aug 24 I want curly hair tooo..ooooo. Great news. Lets hope this is a confirmed signing in the morning!
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n5normy added 19:58 - Aug 24 Please please please be true
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huddies added 19:59 - Aug 24 Yep sounds nice but like others say until I see him holding up the shirt I will keep hoping
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SouperJim added 19:59 - Aug 24 Blimey, I hope this gets done.
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gibbo added 20:00 - Aug 24 We are also meant to be getting the Stoke defender Danny Collins !
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BROTHERBLUE1974 added 20:01 - Aug 24 Who says yes for jimmy to be club captain. Yesssss!!!
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Tillz9 added 20:01 - Aug 24 Swwweeeeeeettttt - I love you Jimmy xx
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BtreeBlueBlood added 20:01 - Aug 24 omg what a boost
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bluearmy4life added 20:05 - Aug 24 This is just the news we needed. Well done to PJ And the board. Really looking forward to Saturday the noise level will be incredible and to finish off a possibly perfect week lets stuff the dirty smelly Leeds.
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blue1986 added 20:08 - Aug 24 Get the funk in!
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jert16 added 20:12 - Aug 24 haha brilliant.. speechless, cant believe it! absolutely amazing!!!!!!!
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TheWeapon added 20:13 - Aug 24 Can't be true! Positive moves for the club. Fingers crossed sonko becomes a town favourite too!!
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blue1986 added 20:15 - Aug 24 Get the funk in!
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bbkingsumday added 20:15 - Aug 24 Awesome!
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Surco72 added 20:16 - Aug 24 If he signs would be a great boost .To all the negative posters who said we had no chance forget about Jimmy ,once again proved wrong as you will be by our league position come May !! My son has been waiting to get his shirt printed ,he is now jumping around the front room . Get In Come On The Blues
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Gilesy added 20:16 - Aug 24 So I take it there'll be apologies forthcoming from the sizeable minority who've been slagging off Bullard for being money-orientated (with no proof that's the case) and Evans for being a disinterested user?! Whilst it's still obvious to even Stevie Wonder that we need some centre backs, having such a creative midfielder in the team won't half reduce the pressure on the back line.

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suffolkpunchdrunk added 20:17 - Aug 24 churchmans - looks like you may be able to launch a range of 'jimmy bullard is the messiah' clothing and hair products after all!
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