SHOLA Ameobi appears set to reject the opportunity to sign for Ipswich Town for a second time.

Derek Davis

SHOLA Ameobi appears set to reject the opportunity to sign for Ipswich Town for a second time

The Newcastle United striker turned down all approaches, including one from the Blues, to leave Tyneside in June, but after making it clear he was now ready to find pastures new, is understood to have rebuffed Town's overtures once again.

Newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion are now favourites to land the 26-year-old who is hoping to be involved with the Magpies against Manchester United this weekend with Michael Owen struggling with an ankle problem.

The Blues were given permission to talk to Ameobi on Wednesday after we revealed Town were going back in for the former England Under-21 striker.

On Thursday Blues boss Jim Magilton confirmed Newcastle were happy for negotiations with the player to begin with a bid of around £2.5m acceptable and revealed he hoped to be able to speak to him face-to-face after the initial negotiations handled by chief executive Derek Bowden had progressed.

I understand talks between Ameobi's agent and Bowden stalled and the player has said he would rather stay in the Premier League and not drop to the Championship.

Interestingly, Glenn Roeder who managed Ameobi at Newcastle and who was linked with him - although he won't now be trying to sign him - added his thoughts.

The Norwich boss said: “I am not prepared to talk about that. He is meant to be in talks with Ipswich - at this stage I don't think that will happen. That's only a guess - educated.”

Town have once again shown an interest in 31-year-old defender Stephen Carr. A free agent after leaving Newcastle United in the summer Carr can play anywhere along the back line it is understood that Magilton is monitoring his situation as cover in case David Wright's injury is more serious than first thought.

Wright damaged a ligament after turn an ankle in the loss against Preston and missed the visit to Burnley.