Town boss Paul Jewell says he faced an anxious wait last week while new midfielder Lee Bowyer was abroad on holiday. The Blues manager was worried that one of a number of other interested parties — including Bowyer’s former club Leeds — might nip in and steal the 34-year-old, who is set to make his second appearance for Town in tonight’s friendly at Den Bosch (KO 7pm local time).
Jewell said: "It’s been going on for a while. We were trying to keep it as quiet as possible. He was on holiday last week and we were a bit nervous in case someone nicked him.
"I was speaking to Simon Grayson [on Monday] and they were in for Lee and I’m sure plenty of other clubs in this division were, and a couple of Premier League clubs too. We’re all chasing the same players.”
Bowyer in action in Tuesday's win at FC Eindhoven
The Blues boss says that things progressed quickly once the ex-Charlton, West Ham, Newcastle and Birmingham man was back in the country: "I met him at the hotel on Saturday, he signed Sunday and he was on the 10-to-seven flight on Monday.”
Jewell had no qualms about signing the one-time England man, despite his controversial past: "We’ve signed him to play football. Show me a man who’s never made me a mistake and I’ll show you a liar.”
Meanwhile, the Blues boss is reported to have been impressed with striker Jason Scotland since the squad returned for pre-season training at the end of the month.
Town are currently in talks with Swansea regarding the 32-year-old’s proposed return to the Liberty Stadium but Jewell may not necessarily be prepared to do a deal if Scotland continues to do well.
The Town manager is waiting to hear whether a bid for another striker has been successful, as well as an offer for a wideman.
Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk