IPSWICH Town’s chances of snapping up defender Sean St Ledger have taken a nosedive after it was reported that Leicester City have agreed a fee for the Republic of Ireland international.

The Preston North End centre back has been constantly linked with the Blues – and manager Paul Jewell admitted he had enquired about the 26-year-old without making a firm bid.

Now reports in Leicester have claimed that Championship rivals Leicester have stolen a march on Ipswich by having a �1.2 million deal accepted for St Ledger.

The defender would become Sven-Goran Eriksson’s fourth summer signing with the Foxes also chasing Reading defender Matt Mills and Sheffield United striker Ched Evans, one of the many forwards linked with Ipswich in recent weeks.