Blues boss Paul Jewell says his pursuit of former Nottingham Forest skipper Luke Chambers has gone on throughout the summer. The Town manager expects the 26-year-old to put pen to paper once his agent is back in the country next week.

Jewell said: “It’s been going on all summer really. I’ve met him on a number of occasions and have spoken to him quite a lot over the summer.

“He’s a player we’ve been interested in for a while and we’re hopeful we can conclude a deal. I think everything’s agreed but until it’s signed, sealed and delivered you’re never 100%.

“But as sure as we can be without it actually being signed - and I spoke to Luke not 20 minutes ago - everything’s agreed.

“He’s not thinking things over, everything’s all right, he’s just taking his time. His representative’s not in the country. By the time he gets back,” he continued before pausing. “Everything’s agreed.”

Today's Nottingham Post is running an interview with Chambers in which he talks about his time with Forest and off the field family issues during last season.

The Town manager is continuing his search for players and admits that as ever these things have a tendency to drag on longer than he and other managers would like: “It could [stretch on to mid-August].

“I say every year [I’d like to have everyone in early]. I’d say we’re about four players short at the moment and I think if I had them in today, I’d be delighted.”

Meanwhile, Town's first signing of the summer, right-back Elliott Hewitt, has revealed on Twitter that he will wear the number two shirt next season.

Jaime Peters, who wore the number two last term, was wearing the number 23 on his training gear yesterday.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

theblueginger added 12:11 - Jul 6 His agent sounds pretty lazy TBH. A great signing none the less.
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jlcollins added 12:16 - Jul 6 Brave, very brave pj, saying its agreed, I hope you are right, cos if he stay's at forrest or worse goes to leeds then you will look like a right wally, ill keep my fingers crossed,
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AndyUK61873 added 13:08 - Jul 6 Fairly sure the OFrest takeover is not going to change this situation, reading on Sky Sports and football365, they have already pulled away from 2 other deals they were going to complete once the takeover was final. Do find it crazy that his agent is now the hold-up, and is not in the conutry to get his commission on a deal.
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Gazelle added 13:32 - Jul 6 Agent has to be there to hold his hand i expect.
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blue89 added 13:55 - Jul 6 He'll be here by next week, followed by 4 more over the following weeks! COYB!
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clactonblue89 added 15:04 - Jul 6 Rumours of Herman Crespo being invited for pre-season trial and taken on as an impact player whilst also earning coaching badges?? I personally dont mind this kind of rumour...another one - chops apparently seen in cardiff last night and signing them for a 3rd time - cant see this one being true especially after all the money spent on his personal fitness regime - altho i wouldnt like to 'bet' on it.

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megamoth added 16:16 - Jul 6 4 out of 11. So thats more than a third of our team that he thinks needs replacing or updating...
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jas0999 added 16:22 - Jul 6 Seems strange this has been going on for such a long time. Hope we can pull this deal off, as clearly other clubs have signed players. So far, just one injured player for us. Not good - particularly as PJ wanted deals done for pre-season training.
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bigolconnor added 17:26 - Jul 6 @legend. Cheers mate I totally agree with you.
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bigolconnor added 17:31 - Jul 6 Megamoth. We have a tiny tiny squad with 1 poor keeper, two average CB's and 1 striker. Are you under the impression that we don't need to sign anyone. We need about 6. 4 is just to keep us quiet for a bit.
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Garv added 17:38 - Jul 6 We have two strikers actually.
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bigolconnor added 17:57 - Jul 6 Oh yeah Scotland just signed. Sweet. I love big Jason.
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Lombokblue added 18:34 - Jul 6 I'm happy with the players we've got. Lets try playing the same team 2 seasons in a row instead of a rotating door of average players. Give Hyam and Carson a chance . Am I excited about watching Chambers next season.
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blue_moon09 added 18:46 - Jul 6 Just report on players when they sign, Town have such a thin looking squad maybe he doesn't fancy a relegation battle? On the ball City...
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Talbs77 added 20:47 - Jul 6 God if he signs for Derby after all this soap opera I am going to start supporting my local bridge club!!! Just get it done!!
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Ipswichbusiness added 21:12 - Jul 6 I can understand Luke Chambers wanting to think it through properly before signing as it is a big move given his family circumstances and his career (at the age of 26 he would be committing his best years to us). If the club has been pursuing him all summer then that is welcome (albeit belated) evidence of some planning by the management. I just hope this deal really is done next week as our defence looks perilously thin without him.

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Blue041273 added 22:18 - Jul 6 I really think PJ should look at this again. If the player was committed to the move he would have signed by now. If he still has doubts after weeks of being courted by PJ, those doubts will always be there. Whatever it is that's stopping him from signing it doesn't look like PJ can, by himself, apply the crucial missing factor which may indeed be outside the control of anyone at ITFC. IMO the risk of his signing is starting to look greater than the risk of his not signing. This may seem negative but this is a key signing and we can't afford to get it wrong.

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megamoth added 00:00 - Jul 7 Bigolconnor - agree with you totally. We are threadbear at best. When your manager comes out publically to say 4 of his first team aren't up to it (and I think most of us think it's more like 6), it sadly goes to show that years of (mis)investment has given us about 4 or 5 quality players that we all agree should start. A damning indictment of past and current management IMHO

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