IPSWICH TOWN MANAGER Paul Jewell has stepped up his efforts to sign out-of-favour Irish international Sean St Ledger from Leicester City.

Jewell confirmed yesterday that he has opened talks with Leicester about a move for the 27-year-old, who was transfer listed after a falling out with new manager Nigel Pearson on St Stephen’s Day.

St Ledger, who has made just eight Championship starts since he was signed by Sven-Goran Eriksson last summer, had a row with Pearson when he confronted the manager about his lack of first-team opportunities.

Jewell admitted that he is still interested in the centre-half who he tried to sign from Preston last summer, but conceded that he could face stiff competition from another mystery suitor in Italy’s Serie A.

“I’ve spoken to Leicester about his availability,” Jewell told reporters (see HuntsPost 24). “It’s something we are interested in and trying to pursue.”

There are a few clubs interested in him though, I think there’s one in Serie A, but we hope we can bring him here.

Leicester have said they’d be prepared to do something so we’ll see if we can get the lad to come here.

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