Jason Scotland signs, Luke Chambers should be next and Paul Jewell wants FOUR more
LUKE Chambers will be followed by four more signings if Paul Jewell gets his wish ahead of next month’s big kick-off.
The ex-Nottingham Forest skipper could put pen to paper as early as this weekend after the Blues boss revealed everything had been agreed following more successful talks yesterday afternoon.
Jason Scotland has finally signed his new one-year deal, but that has not stopped the ambitious Jewell from targeting another striker, a goalkeeper and two more outfield players.
Speaking as the players returned for pre-season training, Jewell said: “I think we are four players short at the moment and if we had them in today I would be delighted.
“We hope to have a couple more for the Holland tour (starting July 16) but it is not essential. The games that matter are next month.”
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While Chambers has taken his time to sign following the successful completion of a medical on Tuesday, Jewell seems unperturbed.
“I spoke to Luke yesterday and everything is agreed,” the Town boss revealed. “These things take time. His representative is not in the country but by the time he gets back, everything will be agreed.”
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Jewell admitted he was equally confident about Scotland’s future who, like captain Carlos Edwards, has accepted a pay cut to remain at Portman Road.
The manager said: “Jason knows he is not going to start and finish every game but he got nine goals for us last season.
“He is not going to last 90 minutes every week. He is an impact player. He can come on and change the game or he can start and do well. We will still be looking to bring in another forward.”
Jewell admitted he had some irons in the fire regarding the troublesome goalkeeping spot – and that they might include one-time Swiss international Eldin Jakupovic.
The 27-year-old free agent was a surprise addition to pre-season training and Jewell admitted he was impressed with the stopper, who almost signed for Hull City last year.
As Town’s transfer activity takes shape, the one sticking point could be 19-year-old midfielder Cheick Kourouma.
The youngster was part of the first-team squad training yesterday but his proposed move to Suffolk has been caught up in red tape.
While remaining hopeful, Jewell admitted the one sticking point could be unexpected payments to Kourouma’s previous clubs Sochaux in France and Italian side Genoa, which could still scupper the deal.
