Norwich City are reported to have joined the race to sign Liverpool centre-half Daniel Ayala, the defender the Blues are also understood to be targeting. Last night, Blues boss Paul Jewell revealed that Town have tabled an offer for an unnamed defender but said four clubs were interested, two from the Premier League.

Hull City had an offer of £850,000 accepted for the Spaniard over the weekend, but the deal appears to have stalled with discussions on personal terms still to begin, while the Canaries' fellow Premier League new boys Swansea have also been strongly linked with the El Saucejo-born player.

Tigers boss Nigel Pearson admits that with top flight clubs interested, the Tigers’ chances of landing their former loanee — and similarly Town's - are very much reduced: "We believe there are Premier League sides interested in him so we'll just have to see if we have a chance to move any further. That's all there is to say about it."

Blues manager Jewell has been desperate to add to his central defensive ranks all summer with the need even greater now with Ívar Ingimarsson suffering a recurrence of his thigh problem: “We need a centre-half urgently and I’ve been trying to get two or three since the season finished but I think all the teams in the Championship are shopping in the same shops and it’s proving very difficult.

“Ingimarsson has the thigh strain that he had in pre-season. He trained fine [on Monday] but he reported it [on Tuesday] morning. He’s got a slight thigh strain and we’ll have to see how he is for the weekend.”

Damien Delaney is also on the casualty list at present having turned his ankle at Bristol City but is expected to be OK to face his former club Hull at Portman Road on Saturday.

If Jewell is unable to add to his squad and Ingimarsson remains on the sidelines, the right-footed Jack Ainsley could be in line for a first league start alongside Delaney having impressed his manager in last night’s 2-1 Carling Cup loss to Northampton.

Photo: Action Images

bluelady added 10:05 - Aug 10 come on son, do you wanna join a team coming up or one ready for the big slide down.......
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icetruckiller added 10:06 - Aug 10 Anywhere but the budgies, please.
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tractorboybig added 10:11 - Aug 10 not coming here then. o well.
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ozzydog added 10:21 - Aug 10 A season of success or one embarrassing defeat after, another you choose COYB
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lobbit11 added 10:53 - Aug 10 Agreed and it's sunnier down here whereby it rains up there! He'll acclimatise better down here.
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robdaful added 11:08 - Aug 10 The gloves won't fit you if you go to Norwich. Come here, you know it makes sense.
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grecianblue added 11:18 - Aug 10 Ipswich scouts have been apparently watching Exeter a lot lately & were at the Stevenage V Exeter game watching a central defender. Richard Duffy was one of City's best players last year & could easily play championship football. On the other hand Troy Archibald-Henville is young but has the potential to play higher.
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dad96 added 11:27 - Aug 10 oh norwich just f@*# off already!
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Tractamatt added 11:42 - Aug 10 Thats that then, what about the player at everton, dont dwell on Ayala just move on to the next possible target
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CharlieBoy added 11:46 - Aug 10 if we sighn him we will win every time
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the_toff added 12:04 - Aug 10 Don't go to naaaarwich, it's grim ooop north
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Mark added 12:45 - Aug 10 It's hard to see why he would choose us over Premier League teams if they could offer him a fair amount of first team football. Our need for centre backs is now urgent so we must get in one or ideally two ASAP. Smith was disappointing last night and didn't do well at Colchester on loan last season. Ainsley is more a right-back and I would be worried to see the two of them together in a Championship match.

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arc added 13:12 - Aug 10 Ainsley to play on Saturday?? Surely we can get a loaner in by then.
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randomblue added 13:54 - Aug 10 Would be a great signing but suspect (like all football players) the ££££ of the Premiership will get his attention! Grecianblue - are you being serious - there is a player with the name Troy Archibald-Henville?! I want us to sign him for his name if nothing else!!!
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sonian_blue added 14:12 - Aug 10 Thats settled then, Ingimarsson shouldnt train. He cant look at a training sesion without pulling or straining something.
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tractorboy2434 added 14:59 - Aug 10 Ingimarsson strained himself bending down to pick up his pay slip from the doormat.
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LFCITFC added 15:59 - Aug 10 As a new ITFC season ticket holder and a lifelong LFC fan I can safely say the Ayala would be a great signing for the club, quick, good in the air and get a few goals. Try and get him in PJ. Looking forward to this season
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SuffolkCheese added 16:42 - Aug 10 Randomblue, it appears Archibald-Henville was on loan at them lot up the road during the season they got relegated. Although according to Wiki he never made an appearance for them. Looks like one who taken a few steps back to get first team football and then work his way up after starting at Spurs. might be worth a punt.
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ipswich_is_the_best added 17:02 - Aug 10 We could shorley beat norwich
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Shauny78 added 19:59 - Aug 10 funny how we mention we're after a player then all of a sudden them up the A140 are suddenly interested!! seems like they havn't got any idea's of their own!!
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churchmans added 20:04 - Aug 10 no chance ayala coming here now with two premiership clubs interested regardless of what there chances are of staying up or not!
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denhamblue added 21:19 - Aug 10 oh well hes not comming then
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