IPSWICH TOWN: Jimmy Bullard revealed today that he has never felt fitter and can’t wait to start playing for manager Paul Jewell again.

The 32-year-midfielder yesterday completed a loan move from Hull City to the rest of the season and is expected to make his Town debut in their Championship fixture at Derby County on Tuesday with the Blues having no game this weekend.

“I’ve never felt fitter for some while,” said Bullard.

“I can’t wait to get started – it’s a new challenge and I like challenges.

“I had four wonderful years at Wigan with Paul Jewell, and what he achieved there was unbelievable.

“‘He’s a top manager, who I know and he’s an honest guy.

“Who knows a couple of wins and Ipswich could start moving up the table; they are a top, top club like Hull City.”

Bullard wants to put a rather miserable time at Hull behind him to kick-start his career.

He trained with his new team mates yesterday and his family lives in east London so the move is beneficial in that respect.

“I have never really settled at Hull with injuries some of them ridiculous ones and have been unable to put a run of games together,” he added.

“I’ve missed a lot of games and want to get on to the pitch again now.

“I’m not guaranteed a place at Ipswich and have to earn that right, but as I say I’m really looking forward to my time here.”

Jewell said: “I know Jimmy well from our days at Wigan and he will give us something different in the middle of the park.

“He has played in the Premier League, has a lot of experience. He is a good technician, a good passer of the ball.

“He’s also a great character and will improve our squad.”.

Hull manager Nigel Pearson says it is the best move to allow Bullard to leave the KC Stadium.

He said: “But this is something that was driven by Jimmy. That really is the top and bottom of it.

“I think it’s been more and more apparent of late both on the training field and certainly in his recent appearances that we have players who have a greater desire to be here.

“In the last transfer window we needed to try and move him because of the financial climate and although that’s not the case now, I think it’s the right thing for us to do at this moment in time.”

Ipswich have refuted Hull’s claim that the Blues are paying ‘far more than �10,000 a week’ of Bullard’s wages.

This is the figure originally quoted as Ipswich’s share of the player’s �45,000 reported wages, and Town are adamant that they are paying a figure close to �10,000.

Bullard will not be allowed to play when Hull visit Portman Road on Saturday February 19.