Crawley boss Steve Evans says his club have given up on signing Blues midfielder Andy Drury on a permanent basis. Since his return to Portman Road, the 28-year-old, who enjoyed a successful three months on loan at the Broadfield Stadium before Christmas, has got back into the first team and has impressed.

Evans said: “The reality is that despite how much I wanted him the clubs could not agree on a transfer fee.

"I also think maybe his wages could have been a problem in getting the lad here on a permanent basis because it should not be forgotten by anyone they were heavily subsidised by Ipswich Town when he was on loan with us.”

Speaking a fortnight ago, Blues boss Paul Jewell said Crawley offered a fee well below the one proposed when the former Luton man joined them: “We agreed a fee before he went on loan if he did well for them and they wanted him.

“I don’t think he did that well for them as he played in 13 [league] games and they won 10 and drew three and the bid was half of what we agreed, so I wouldn’t even have said it was a bid really.”

Photo: Action Images

DiamondGezzer added 11:15 - Jan 16 Good. Thought from day one that although not the finished article, he will come good.
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northstand78 added 11:20 - Jan 16 Good I'm glad..maybe they want some of our dads army instead..
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bluelady added 11:25 - Jan 16 showed passion commitment and strength in our midfield at the weekend.Will never set the world alight but alongside a player like Andrews we could start to boss midfields, something we havent done for a long time!
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parkinshair added 11:25 - Jan 16 Drury has been outstanding since his return and certainly didn't look a bad player when he first joined. He is just the sort of player that I wish Jewell had continued to target rather than his Dad's Army plan. I would much rather see him playing ahead of Leadbitter and Bullard. Jewell would be a fool to sell him
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irishtim added 11:32 - Jan 16 Hold on to him is playing quite well.
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spanish_archer added 11:33 - Jan 16 PJ is our funniest manager ever..crap at sticking a football team together mind.
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Tractamatt added 11:49 - Jan 16 GOOD
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textbackup added 12:19 - Jan 16 good job! he was one of our best players last 2/3 games
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Gilesy added 12:25 - Jan 16 This is precisely why players go on loan - make them better, get them in our first team. Good news!
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Mark added 12:25 - Jan 16 Drury has looked pretty good whenever I have seen him, and stepping up three/two leagues there is the potential for improvement when he adjusts to this level. He is far better to have in the squad than the likes of Healy, and on Saturday's showing both he and Hyam should keep their places.
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sharvey22 added 12:26 - Jan 16 Good news, hopefully he'll get another start against leeds!
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WorcesterBlue added 13:06 - Jan 16 Keep him - at least he tries to play football.
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Warkys_Tash added 13:07 - Jan 16 Personally, I thought he was pretty average when he played on sat, did ok but is ok what we are looking for? Ran out of steam for the last 25.
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Bergholtblue added 13:49 - Jan 16 They should have stumped up the agreed fee! That will teach them not to try it on, serves them right. He has come back a lot sharper and has been the stand out midfielder in the last two games.
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billlm added 14:10 - Jan 16 should give him every chance from now to the end of the season..keen for the ball always looking for a pass yes some go astray but at least he looks forwards not side way or back i like the guy and when we scored sat he passionatly went to us in the north stand to gee us up, hey may have found someone who wants to play for town
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jonwillpott added 14:16 - Jan 16 Warkys_Tash - if you think Drury was 'average' on Sat then heaven knows what ratings you have given Leadboots this season!!! AD looked head and shoulders above GL in every aspect of his game imo and showed far more energy than GL ever has in a game - you say he ran out of steam in last 25 mins - well quite frankly I am not surprised the effort he put in!! Remember he has played very little Championship football recently and Div 2 energy levels are far less onerous - it takes time to fully adjust to the requirments of the Championship and he should be played regularly now and given every opportunity. If you gave me the choice of him or Leadboots in CM there is no contest - I believe that GL is actually having a detrimental effect on the team - strange how we seem to win when he is not playing isn't it???

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dad added 14:42 - Jan 16 err we drew on saturday
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tractorboy1961 added 15:40 - Jan 16 Good.He can stay here and let's hope he gets a good run in the team as I think henis a good player
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Ipswich24 added 16:01 - Jan 16 Again how many times do I have to say it players from the lower leagues want it more hopefully finally PJ has woken up
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jonwillpott added 16:18 - Jan 16 dad....whoops - meant 'not lose'!!!
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Pettitt10 added 19:16 - Jan 16 good news!
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jas0999 added 20:58 - Jan 16 Not a big fan of Drury. However, he has played decent in the past few games. He gives 100% and get's stuck in. Full credit to him. Good enough if we ever want promotion? - not in my opinion - but better than several of PJ's other signings. Good luck to the guy.
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