Paul Jewell says he wants to keep midfielder Jimmy Bullard at Portman Road and that the loanee from Hull has told him that he wants to stay, but the Blues boss warns that it will be a very difficult deal for the Town to do, particularly with Premier League clubs also interested in the 32-year-old.

Speaking yesterday, Jewell said: “I spoke to Jimmy this morning. He wants to stay and I want him to stay.

“I spoke to [director of football operations] Adam Pearson at Hull but it’s a difficult deal to do. Everyone knows the contract that Jimmy’s on, but it’s a deal that we’d love to do and I know Jimmy would love to do it.

“I know there are a couple of Premier League clubs interested in him but we’re in there fighting. It all depends on Hull basically, the ball’s in Hull’s court.”

Bullard has two years left on his £45,000-a-week deal at the KC Stadium, which the Town manager says the Blues certainly wouldn’t be able to get close to matching: “I don’t think anyone expects that we can pay his wages. We’ve paid a fair chunk this season and we’d love to do the deal but not everything can be done.

“Hull obviously helped us with the deal [this season] but we paid a decent amount for Jimmy. He was a huge success with the fans and in the team.

“There’s not going to be a bottomless pit but if I want a player who is going to give us a better chance of getting up there, [owner Marcus Evans] will back me.”

Jewell says he was sorry that Gareth McAuley, who looks set for West Brom, and David Norris, who appears to be on his way to Portsmouth, although with one paper this morning linking him with QPR, turned down new two-year deals, but has started the search for their successors: “I’m disappointed to lose them, but things move on.

“We’ve got to learn lessons that we don’t want key players getting out of contract because you’re always susceptible to them getting offers from elsewhere.

“But we’ll endeavour to get replacements and maybe even better ones. They’re both good players, good professionals, but this is football and it’s always evolving.

“I can’t speak highly enough of them as people and players. I inherited a situation which wasn’t easy and we’ve got to try and learn from our mistakes.”

Photo: Action Images

kerryblue added 13:02 - May 10 Its about time Marcus Evans showed some ambition and brought in a decent player,then build around him
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stringtheory added 13:13 - May 10 It's simple then, Jimmy wants to stay, we want to sign him and Hull want rid of him. Should be a piece of cake!
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cwb91 added 13:15 - May 10 Karlosfandangel - are you for real? 3 years, its bordering on complete lunacy. Thats precisely how clubs get into financial difficulty. 20k isn't too unrealistic, but only for 2 years at maximum. Do our best, but don't break the bank - we cannot afford it.
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Lightningboy added 13:38 - May 10 We all want him to stay...for God's sake sort it out Clegg!
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BlueVelvet added 13:39 - May 10 You can blame Oly Clegg for letting players go out of contract - he's got no experience of football, or come to think of it sport in general
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tractorgirl2 added 13:54 - May 10 I hope are first signing is james coppinger but i have heard today that he has turn us down, hope i am wrong but that is what i have heard.
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Karlosfandangal added 14:22 - May 10 cwb91 Bullard has a 2 year contract of £45k a week at Hull so why move to Ipswich. given his age he will be 34 so this will be his last real contract of any length, a longer contract may just help as this will pay him close to what he would get at Hull over the 2 years. I know he says its not all about the money but a better 2 year contract than we can offer he would take it, so 3 years may push him in our direction. Like i said a gamble but could be one worth taking seeing the differeance he has made over the last 16 games

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jabberjackson added 14:24 - May 10 dream on.... aint gonna happen but if it does, i, for one, will be wincing every time he stretches, let alone goes into a tackle
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Keaneish added 14:39 - May 10 Boring now. How much do you want for him Hull? Put a price tag on him and lets go from there!
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DiamondGezzer added 14:45 - May 10 Looks like the ' Bull's in Hulls court ! Sorry, couldn't resist it.
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blues1 added 15:09 - May 10 tractorgirl2, & where did u hear that j. coppinger turned us down? 2day the 1st time ive heard of we even interested in him let alone had chance 2 turn us down.
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tractorgirl2 added 15:18 - May 10 From a doncaster suporter i know, we are intrested in coppinger and sharp but so i have heard coppinger has said that he want's to stay. He could be wrong but that is he rumours going a round the fans
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blues1 added 15:28 - May 10 well, prob iswrong. after all, hes only a fan. he not know ne more than we do i wouldnt have thought. besides, why wld he want 2 stay at a club that prob gonna get relegated next season.when he cld come 2 a club that, should at least be stronger & challenging at least 4 the playoffs. still, guess theres no telling really with players thinking sometimes. just have 2 wait & see

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TimmyH added 15:35 - May 10 Difficult problem with Jimmy - no doubt has been pretty good since he's been here but he is nearing 33 and do we really want to offer him a 3 year contract (that's if we clear up his debt at Hull and if he doesn't go back to the Premiership which is likely). If we came to that situation a 2 year deal would be good but still have to be wary of his dodgy knee, 1 bad tackle and that could be it! But to have him playing at PR next season and fit would be great. Goodwillie, Sharp and a decent central defender would be good. Robbie Keane is a big no no!

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comeonthegoodtimes added 15:48 - May 10 To all that say one bad tackle and that would be it..... Doesn't that go to all football players and most sports personnel????? Lets look at his football brain and ability not IF he gets a bad challenge. we'd better not buy anybody if that is the case...
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TimmyH added 16:09 - May 10 yeah but nearing 33 and with his history he is more likely to be out for a longer time or to end his career than somebody in his mid-twenties, some players are more susceptible to injuries than others!!! - I'll be amazed if he gets a contract here next season that he doesn't get an injury that puts him out for some time (not tempting fate). Granted a good footballing brain though which as proven in his short time is a big positive.

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comeonthegoodtimes added 16:16 - May 10 Ok i agree with most of that statement But, Ryan Giggs ( and this is just talk) But if he became available, would you not pay good money to have him in your team as is the case with Bullard? I know it's not the same but is similar. bullard has proven in 3 months that he can bring enough to the team in a short length of time so If an injury was to happen then ok lets say a month maybe two out, Id still rather have him here for the other 7 months of the season than not...

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sonian_blue added 16:24 - May 10 Dont do it, there are those for and against but a 33 yr old crock? Thanks but no thanks....unless its a 'pay as you play' deal.
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Dowson added 16:55 - May 10 Great news !
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TractorCam added 17:43 - May 10 Bullard and Coppinger, oohhhhhh what a midfield!
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Keaneish added 18:08 - May 10 Sonian_blue....where have you been for the last three months!!? Bullard has been MOM virtually every game for us and has played in most games as well. Take him. No question.
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ITFC4daprem added 19:10 - May 10 Sign him up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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ITFC4daprem added 19:11 - May 10 simple
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maximoalex added 19:14 - May 10 Good old wikipedia. James Coppinger is an attacking midfielder who plays for Ipswich Town apparently
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nickyblue added 19:16 - May 10 we need to keep bullard and get rid of the dead wood. Leadbitter is good but wont get us promoted. We need a player with a creative streak enliven the forwards. Anybody can cross a ball, but it takes a player Taarabt to make it happen to the required standard. We need to look at the leagues below and not above because we want the best talent, not some has been or somebody who is not fired up for the fight.

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