PAUL Jewell believes the heritage of Ipswich Town has played a big part in attracting new players to Portman Road.

From Sir Alf Ramsey to John Wark, Mick Mills to Sir Bobby Robson, Jewell believes Town’s history should be embraced and encouraged when it comes to bringing in new blood.

Add to that the club’s facilities and ambition and the Town boss believes the Blues are a Premiership club-in-waiting.

He explained: “Ipswich Town is a great name in the game because of its past.

“But I think when people come here they are surprised by the quality of the facilities. Once you get players here and they see the set-up, the ambition and the area, they love it – I know I found that to be the case.

“The training ground is a wonderful place to come every day, the pitch is top quality and it is a warm and friendly place to live. This club has Premier League written all over it.”

Jewell has undergone a frantic few months, bringing in 13 new players as he looks to shape a Town side capable of pushing for the Premier League.

Among them has been five loan signings with the promise of one or two more to follow – Liverpool youngster Jonjo Shelvey was one that Jewell went in for before the midfielder opted for divisional rivals Blackpool.

After talks with Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish and Manchester City coach David Platt, Jewell admitted he is always “open and honest” when it comes to loan players.

The Ipswich manager said: “I said I’d love to have their players here but I couldn’t guarantee they would be in the team. What I will guarantee is that any player we take, we will look after.

“We try and do things the right way and I think the name Ipswich stands very high in terms of the class in which we try and do things.”