Ipswich Town forward Noel Hunt could be lining up against an old friend on Saturday, should Jason Pearce complete his move from Leeds United to Wigan Athletic in time.

Centre-back Pearce, who played for Leeds in their 4-1 defeat at Ipswich earlier in the season, has agreed terms with the Latics and is expected to move to the DW Stadium imminently.

Hunt played with Pearce during his tough time at Elland Road but says there will be no love lost on Saturday, should the pair go head-to-head at Portman Road.

“He bought the house across from me in Leeds and I think his garage was closer to my house than his!,” said Hunt.

“He phoned me on Wednesday night and said he had been told by Leeds that he didn’t have a future there and had to go.

“Jason needs to go out and play, he hasn’t been playing for a little while, and he will be hungry to prove a point if he does on Saturday.

“He is a tough boy and I am looking forward to it. There won’t be any talk (on the pitch), he won’t even acknowledge you, I have known that for a long time. He is focused on his game.

“Even with his mates, he won’t even speak to them in the tunnel. It’s quite a serious, mental thing for him and I am sure he will want to do as well as he can in his first game.”

The Latics have been busy in the transfer market this month and have allowed Shaun Maloney, Ben Watson, Adam Forshaw and Callum McManaman to leave the club, while signing Chris Herd on loan from Aston Villa.

They are also thought to be close to the signing of striker Billy McKay from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.