Clubs fight it out for Leicester’s Shaun St Ledger

Ipswich Town have become the latest club interested in signing defender Sean St Ledger from Leicester City after the defender had been put on the transfer list following a Boxing Day fall-out with manager Nigel Pearson.

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell is in desperate need of cover at centre-half after Damien Delaney limped off injured in the FA Cup defeat at Hull City on Saturday, leaving only two fit central defenders in Ibrahima Sonko and Tommy Smith. Jewell had been alerted over the availability of the 27 year old after he had been dropped for the recent 1-1 draw between the two clubs and revealed last week that he is involved in negotiations for the Republic of Ireland defender.

These negotiations are now looking to be a desperate slog as Jewell looks to add to his bare back-line in time for the game with Birmingham on Wednesday, plus there looks to be no doubt  for Jewell in the importance of adding to his defence as they slipped to defeat at Hull courtesy of an array of individual errors. It was the tenth time this season that the Tractor Boys had conceded three goals in a game.

“We were probably desperately short of centre-halves before the game, it’s an area we need to improve and strengthen” claims Jewell, who had tried to sign him last summer before losing out to Leicester, “there are a few clubs in for Sean, we’re in there and we hope we can get something done”.

Leeds United, who have defensive problems of their own, have also been named as an interested party whilst a return to Preston could also be on the cards after he had impressed in his final year at Deepdale, even though he was part of the side relegated to League One. Leicester, who signed him for £1.2 million, will be looking to sell St Ledger after his spat with Pearson over a lack of playing time which the defender has experienced since making the move to the King Power Stadium.

The proposed move for St Ledger has occurred after Jewell cut his ties with one central defender in Ivar Ingimarsson, who has seen the final six months of his contract terminated by the club, a poor showing in last Monday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest at Portman Road was enough for Jewell to cancel the one year spell of the 34 year old, who had joined on a free from Reading in the summer and had only managed six starts and 2 substitute appearances.

@AdamGray1250

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