Image:Upson: Joined Stoke City earlier this week but had also attracted interest from Ipswich
Ipswich manager Paul Jewell has revealed he showed an interest in signing both Matthew Upson and Jonathan Woodgate.
Ipswich boss still trying to improve defensive options
Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell has revealed he showed an interest in signing both Matthew Upson and Jonathan Woodgate earlier in the summer.
Both defenders were available on free transfers after Upson left West Ham United and Woodgate was released by Tottenham Hotspur.
Several clubs were keen on the experienced centre-halves, but both players eventually signed deals to stay in the Premier League with Stoke City.
Jewell confirmed he was keen on Upson and Woodgate, but acknowledged it was always going to be difficult to persuade the pair to move to Portman Road once they had received offers from the top flight.
"We went in for Matt Upson and Jonathan Woodgate during the summer, but both of those players were always going to go to the Premier League because they attract that sort of attention," said Jewell.
"That is the sort of competition we are up against and it is difficult but we are trying and we have a bid in for a player that we are waiting on an answer.
"I want four central defenders ideally but we are all chasing the same sort of player.
"We are looking to add and I think I've spoken to just about every Premier League manager to try and bring someone in."
