Royle admits Fuller defeat

Ipswich Town manager Joe Royle has admitted Ricardo Fuller's Southampton form has prevented him from signing the striker.

Royle was impressed by Fuller during his loan spell at Portman Road where he netted twice from three Championship appearances.

The Ipswich boss was keen to bring in Fuller full time, but feels his recent return of six goals for Saints may have scuppered the move.

However, Royle is not too downhearted about missing out on the Jamaican as he has Sam Parkin, Nicky Forster, Alan Lee and two promising strikers coming through the ranks.

"I would have dearly loved to have brought Ricardo here but he has gone and botched that by doing so well at Southampton," Royle admitted to the club's official website.

"So that's unlikely to happen now and I don't think there is another striker available that could come in and do what Fuller might have been able to do here.

"But we have three senior strikers with a good goals record in Sam, Fozzie and Alan Lee and we also have the promise of Danny Haynes and Billy Clarke.

"We also have Dean Bowditch, who we hope will take that leap next season with all that ability and promise he has."