THE chances of Sean St Ledger signing in time for tonight’s trip to Birmingham City appear to be disappearing fast.

We understand talks remain ongoing between Ipswich and the 27-year-old Leicester City defender but a deal is unlikely to be reached in time for the 7.45pm kick off at St Andrews.

St Ledger can be signed on loan up to three hours before kick off, but Town boss Paul Jewell seems likely to plan without him and start with Ibrahima Sonko and Tommy Smith in the centre of his back four.

It had seemed a straight fight between Town and divisional rivals Leeds United for the services of the Republic of Ireland international, but sources close to the Elland Road club suggest they might not be as interested as first thought.

This means St Ledger might be weighing up further offers before deciding whether he wants to commit himself to Ipswich, whether on a permanent basis after Town and Leicester agreed a fee, or on a loan deal.

Jewell admitted yesterday that the centre back was concerned he could be about to join a club who might change their manager in the coming weeks.

But Town owner Marcus Evans intervened directly to assure St Ledger, through his agent, that Jewell’s job was safe.

The former Peterborough man appears to want to take his time over his next move, appearing to scupper Jewell’s plans to throw him straight in against Birmingham.