TWTD understands that Jimmy Bullard will be leaving the Blues before the start of the season. The 33-year-old midfielder has been on the periphery all pre-season and has been left out of the squad for the last two friendlies against West Ham and Colchester, while reports over the weekend indicated that the Blues were looking to offload the one-time England call-up.

Speaking after last night's 2-1 victory at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, manager Paul Jewell said: "At the moment, he's not in the squad, it's as simple as that.

"There are no untoward reasons, I just don't see the point of him sitting on a bench and getting 10-15 minutes."

He added: "Jimmy wants to play football, he works ever so hard in training - at the moment it's just not happening for him."

However, it's our understanding that the midfielder's Town exit is now only a matter of time.

Bullard, understood to be the club's highest earner on wages believed to be more than £15,000-a-week, rejoined the Blues on a permanent basis just under a year ago having had his Hull City contract terminated.

The one-time Peterborough, Wigan and Fulham man had previously enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell during the second half of the 2010/11 season in which he won the Supporters' Club's Player of the Year award.

Photo: Action Images

homer_123 added 13:33 - Aug 9 Unbelievable - a player of that quality being let go. He's worth having just for the 'crack' and 'bants'. PJ OUT!
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RedDust added 13:34 - Aug 9 £15,000 spread across 3 wages maybe?
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HighgateBlue added 13:34 - Aug 9 Great shame it didn't work out. Can't help thinking the Hull fans were right to warn us... Still, getting rid of those wages will be a real bonus. We may even be able to afford one of our targets...
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PunchNoHopers added 13:36 - Aug 9 Probably because he needs to get someone out before getting anyone else in, and guess JB, unlucky as it may be, equates to two or even three more players coming in!!
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BoredWithThisNow added 13:37 - Aug 9 About bleeding time too, unbelievable parasite and waste of space.
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fussysnake added 13:38 - Aug 9
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ChrisMakin2012 added 13:39 - Aug 9 Wrong move Jewell, wrong wrong wrong
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BotesdaleBlue added 13:39 - Aug 9 I'm pleased about this. Its a big shame, but it was clearly not working and its surely best to cut our losses and move on. Unfortunately if it a loan, I see us still having to pick up a large chunk of his wages
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Mark added 13:39 - Aug 9 Do we think there is any truth in the 'Pay as you play' contract rumours? Perhaps part of Bullard's contract is based on appearances and that may partly explain why he hasn't started since November? I know Jimmy has been disappointing, but not even being on the bench in pre-season games seems strange if he is working hard in training etc. If he is on a fixed weekly wage of £15K, then that £660K wage liability won't be easy to move to another club and we could be looking at another pay-off, or a loan deal subsidised by us.

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homer_123 added 13:40 - Aug 9 @ChrisMakin2012 - absolutely right - I mean, the guys 'Premiership' quality. Superb player, great to have around the Club - puts it all in. Younger players can learn all the really, really important stuff from him as well.
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SuperReuser added 13:40 - Aug 9 technically probably our best player but, if he isnt going to be in the team, 15k is a lot to waste on wages. do love Jimmy though! shame to see him go
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dundeetractorboy added 13:41 - Aug 9 Shocking decision - I genuinely think he could have come good for us this season. Terribly managed last year (played out of position at defensive mid when we had players like bowyer and andrews who were ready-made defensive midfielders available, then criticised for not being good enough at it and dropped!), always valuable to have around the squad for a moment of magic WHEN PLAYED IN HIS POSITION. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the football league going back to seven subs this season? He would be perfect to have in the squad whether it be starting or as one of the two extra subs to come on and change a game with 20mins to play. Dreadful decision Jewell, and just when I was starting to warm to you again as well.

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Superfrans added 13:41 - Aug 9 This is a real shame. The greatest waste of talent we've had since Finidi.
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BoredWithThisNow added 13:45 - Aug 9 "Waste of talent" = waste of space. Do one.
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Bluecynic added 13:47 - Aug 9 My take on this is that he is probably a pretty bad influence on the youngsters-and Chops.
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uppersirbob added 13:48 - Aug 9 match winner on his day just have not seen it since the loan finished and he signed for us shame really
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ChrisMakin2012 added 13:49 - Aug 9 Ok yes lately he has been poor, but he was player of the season two years ago! Why are we letting the legend that is bullard go to bring in absolute complete dross like kourouma? Jewell has it all wrong.
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TR11BLU added 13:49 - Aug 9 Best news Ive had all summer, good riddance.
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mark1969 added 13:51 - Aug 9 Best song we have had in years , great shame waste of talent but costa del fortune , if not going to play let him realise his dream elsewhere but thanks for some great performances and goals , just not enough!!
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Garv added 13:52 - Aug 9 Quite a sad story really, for both parties. Think what he could have achieved here. Real shame.
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Daleyitfc added 13:52 - Aug 9 Signing the old clapped-out guys has really worked well. That applies to managers too ...
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Cattee11 added 14:00 - Aug 9 None of us no whats really happened. I have heard RUMOURS that he's still out all the time and trying to bring some of the younger players down with him. Ive also heard RUMOURS that if we want to sign other players we need to get bullard of the wage bill. None of us no why, we can only guess. Either way.. it hasnt worked out for him.
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Edmunds5 added 14:00 - Aug 9 Bit of a shame because of how well he done when he was here and how much of a character he seems, has the ability to change games but we just never saw it. I can understand it though, we cant pay someone £15k a week who isn't part of the managers plans.
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RedDust added 14:00 - Aug 9 If he gets sold outright then its understandable but if he gets loaned out it makes no sense as no other champ team will pay all his wages! The amount we would be left to pay without having any of his talent in the team would make no sense!!!!!!!!
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casanovacrow added 14:04 - Aug 9 rate the guy a lot but at over 15k a week for a position we have plenty of decent players in already its a luxury we don't need. It's obviously Paul freeing up some wages for the 3 players he wants in. I for one give it the thumbs up
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