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

OrkneyBlue added 21:11 - Aug 24 What a roller coaster of a week eh!? It's true what they say then, a week in football is a long time!!!! Please Please Please sign or I suppose it should be Please Please Please pass your medical!!!
0

penguinsrus added 21:11 - Aug 24 first time ive got shivers down my spine on some news about a maybe signing , yes chopra was good , but this is what we need with how the results have gone latly , now for some centre backs which i think will be worth the wait , but i think sonko and then will be loans from premiership i think , fingers crossed on bullard hope he stays fit if he signs
0

toforoge added 21:12 - Aug 24 yes good move .going by this response his wages high ,will be paid easily by extra gate reciepts so no brainer. Unless he gets injured. Dont want leave post on negative ,will link brilliantly with chopra.
0

Tractamatt added 21:15 - Aug 24 Double reveal tomorrow Bullard and Sonko but still need another cb and competition for jet as chopra's strike partner
0

Back_The_Boss added 21:23 - Aug 24 Sign him up! Now for a centre-back!
0

Sindre94 added 21:26 - Aug 24 I love you Bullard I love you Evans I love you Clegg I love you Jewell I love you Ipswich <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
0

TractorCam added 21:26 - Aug 24 I WANT CURLY HAIR TOOOOOO (8)
0

comebackburley added 21:34 - Aug 24 Jimmy our hero we need you more than ever now. This is the best news I have had all day. But do you realise you are the over 40's pin up?? :)
0

Dowson added 21:35 - Aug 24 YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
0

Mark added 21:38 - Aug 24 Wow, that's a nice surprise! Put pen to paper please, then we can all believe it!!
0

suffolkpunchdrunk added 21:39 - Aug 24 Question is if he does join ITFC how long will the contract be for and on what terms?
0

1980sboy added 21:41 - Aug 24 Sky saying Le-Fondre has handed in a transfer request. Seen a rumour that Wednesday have offered 400k. Lower league talent worth a punt??
0

TownKidsWife added 21:46 - Aug 24 Good signing but the buck doesn't stop here. Seven days to get in a solid centre back and perhaps a right back.
0

tractorboy11uk added 21:50 - Aug 24 May I suggest that if the deal is signed we demand that when he scores the PR music dept plays the chorus from the Undertones hit Jimmy Jimmy ! lets get the place rockin !
0

Blue_75 added 21:51 - Aug 24 I've been saying this would happen all summer and people have generally taken the mick! For me, it was clear that Jimmy and Jewell have a mutual love for each other. After the time he's had at Hull I was sure that he wouldn't risk passing up the opportunity to play his final footballing days in front of an adoring crowd and on a regular basis! Jimmy and the Town have played this perfectly all Summer, keeping quiet and letting Hull panic onto making their move first, which they have. Very well done to Jewell and Evans for getting this done! Now for Sonko, another CB (Collins?), a RB and Richard Wright and we're in business! COYB!!!!!!!

0

Edinburgh_Blue added 21:54 - Aug 24 Get in! Should give the whole dressing room a much needed lift!
0

leroy2488 added 21:59 - Aug 24 Fingers crossed that his knees are fit, he's not far from match fitness and he signs!! We have played this situation 100% right and we need Jimmy and what he offers so badly at the moment as much as a tackling C/B, lol.
0

Barhamblue added 22:08 - Aug 24 I'm going to say something which many of you have not!! ......Thank you Marcus Evans, your hard work and dedication to my club is so much appreciated. Proud to have an owner like you! Best regards
0

pastystringbean added 22:09 - Aug 24 Jimmy would be a welcome addition to the squad, just make sure we get rid of those under performing midfield players, and use their wages to pay for jimmy! Just read le fondre is available for 350000 plus add ons, I know we need defenders but surely for that money he's worth a punt?! M.E. I'll lend you £20 quid to help you on your way!
0

Lammy added 22:13 - Aug 24 Seems like good news
0

Trickster added 22:16 - Aug 24 GETTTTTTTT INNNN
0

dirtydingusmagee added 22:19 - Aug 24 wooooooooooo wooooooooooo, some good news in a crap week .coyb
0

StowTractorBoy added 22:31 - Aug 24 I totally agree Barham Blue Marcus Evans takes unwarranted stick on this site as does Clegg and I believe they and Jewell should be wholely applauded for pulling this off. Heaven knows where we would be without Marcus Evans and our supporters need to realise that not only did he save the Club from certain administraion but pumps in large sums of money each season. Its not just transfer fees that hit the balance sheet but large salaries as well. If you do read this website Mr Evans thank you so much for backing our beloved Ipswich Town. Rumours on Sky indicating we are interested in Danny Collins from Stoke - things are at last starting to look up.

0

Crazee added 22:31 - Aug 24 I own up to being one of those who wasn't sure of the wisdom of pursuing Jimmy Bullard - reasoning that his stint last season was a bit of a flash in the pan. But now that it looks as though he could be a true blue in time for the Leeds game I confess I am as excited as everyone else on here! Add Sonko and another good centre back and we could well be moving in the right direction. COYB

0

marcus139 added 22:32 - Aug 24 I am not happy. If we have broken bank for him we are stupid. I want young pacey talent. Not somebody who is one bad tackle from retirement. Honestly, anybody would think he is the second coming.
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls