Town striker Noel Hunt is set to face friend Jason Pearce this weekend after the Leeds central defender today moved closer to joining Wigan, who are visitors to Portman Road on Saturday.

Pearce, a target for then Ipswich manager Paul Jewell when he was at Portsmouth, is on the verge of moving to the struggling Latics as boss Malky Mackay attempts to halt a form slump threatening to drag them into League One only two years after their FA Cup triumph.

Hunt, 32, said: “They are signing a good mate of mine in Jason. We were close friends and he even bought a house right across the road from me. His garage was closer to my place than his own.

“He phoned me on Wednesday night and said he had been told by Leeds that he didn’t have a future there and had to go.

“He’s delighted with the move because he wants to play and that’s something he hasn’t been doing recently.

“He’ll be hungry to prove a point if he plays on Saturday. He’s a tough boy and I’ll look forward to it — but there won’t be any banter going on.

“He doesn’t talk and will be so focused on his game that he will look straight through me and not even acknowledge me, even though we’ve been mates for years.

“Even in the tunnel, where you sometimes get lads speaking to each other, he’ll just stare ahead and won’t be distracted.

“It’s a serious, mental thing for him and having gone to a new club he’ll be looking to get off to the best possible start.”

Wigan, currently 23rd in the table, eight points from safety, are going through a major transition with the likes of Callum McManaman (West Brom), Shaun Maloney (Chicago Fire) and FA Cup final goalscorer Ben Watson (Watford) amongst those to move on, while Liam Ridgewell and Chris Herd have come in on loan from the Portland Timbers and Aston Villa respectively. Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker Billy McKay is also on his way to the DW Stadium.

Meanwhile, former Blues striker Jason Scotland has rejoined Hamilton Academical in a player-coach role having been released by the SPL club only a fortnight ago.

Another ex-Town man, defender Chris Swailes, was appointed new manager Martin Canning’s assistant last week.

Photo: Action Images

mojo added 16:19 - Jan 29 Nice story, enjoyed the garage comment and best of all we no longer have to look at Carrow Rd. Would have preferred a new signing story though.
6

Len_Brennan added 16:26 - Jan 29 Nice enough story Phil, but for more than a week now I've been waiting for you to post news of "Town complete deal for Wood/Sharp/Grealish/Powell/Williams". It's all getting a bit squeaky bum time now though. If you build it they will come.
1

Ipswichbusiness added 16:27 - Jan 29 If we had managed to sign the Portsmouth three, would Paul Jewell still be manager? Probably not.
1

Len_Brennan added 16:27 - Jan 29 Mojo: You beat me to it.
1

stevelincsexile added 17:35 - Jan 29 Perhaps now palace have signed Mutch they will let us have Williams please!
1

nysully added 17:57 - Jan 29 Any update on Didz?
0

Geoff added 18:05 - Jan 29 Should have signed Benty his class would have been valuable a missed opportunity.
2

therein61 added 18:24 - Jan 29 Whatever our personal views the longish break we have had will have given the boys a well deserved rest(rest the played through niggles etc) we don't have the biggest squad and I feel the players have looked a bit jaded in the last couple of games while a new signing would be welcome I reckon they will come out refreshed and all guns blazing against Wigan which is now a must win game to restart the momentum which has served us so well in what I still feel will lead to promotion, come on you blues!!

2

battyblue added 18:34 - Jan 29 Small squad before the transfer window even smaller now with two days left still need a attacking midfielder as we have since williams left this can only hindrance our promotion hopes with all other top six strengthening there squads.
3

statto72 added 19:49 - Jan 29 I used to be Jason Pearce's kit man, albeit not for very long. Always thought he had a bright future as a pro
1

Surco72 added 19:50 - Jan 29 I think everyone is bigging up Williams far too much , he is very injury prone doesn't compliment Dids at all and I think we only won one game whilst he was here playing this season ? Would rather see a pacy winger or a passing midfielder who can take the pace out of games or unlock a defence with a pass as an option to hustle bustle style when it isn't working
2

MedwayTractor added 19:58 - Jan 29 Battyblue: Not sure why you say that our squad is smaller - 2 strikers out, Sammon & Bajner (1 goal between them all season), 2 strikers in, Noel Hunt & Sears (4 goals already). The latter are obviously so much better than the former, so an improved (ie strengthened) squad in my book. Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised to see one or two more signings before the window shuts, failing that, I suspect Mick will bring in a couple of loans once the emergency window re-opens, loan length geared to co-incide with the end of the season.

2

brittaniaman added 20:00 - Jan 29 Geoff : Benty also got them 2 valuable points the other night to leap frog us, Wally is still looking at 2 more players to add to his team. Where does the FFP come in to this ?? with Bournemouth bidding 3 million for a player Middlesboro paid 4 million for one,, they just cannot be abiding by the book ???
2

TimmyH added 20:42 - Jan 29 Agreed with @battyblue - we need more creative/attacking options in midfield, if we don't add to this area I'd be very surprised if we got automatically promoted.
2

Surco72 added 20:45 - Jan 29 We had Hunt before the transfer window so he doesn't count as a new player to the squad so one in and four off wage bill with Nouble and Woody gone
2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls