Ipswich Town Sign Lee Bowyer

Ipswich have made former England and Leeds midfielder Lee Bowyer their fifth summer signing.

The 34-year-old free agent has signed a one-year contract.

"There was interest from other clubs but Ipswich is the right choice for me," Bowyer told the club's official website.

"Everything I heard from the manager was very positive. He wants to get Ipswich back in the Premier League and I'm looking forward to playing my part in trying to make that happen."

Boss Paul Jewell added: "Anyone who has seen Lee play over the years knows he is a winner and he will bring that winning mentality into our dressing-room."

Bowyer joins fellow new faces Michael Chopra, Nathan Ellington, Ivar Ingimarsson and Aaron Creswell at Portman Road.

Ipswich report Swansea to the Premier League and seek a transfer embargo

Ipswich have reported Swansea to the Premier League and asked for a transfer embargo to be placed on the top-flight newcomers for alleged non-payment of invoices.Club chief executive Simon Clegg claims the Swans have reneged on a deal relating to the payment of Tamas Priskin's wages while he was on loan last season and subsequent add-ons as a result of their promotion."I am hugely disappointed a legally-binding agreement reached in good faith by both clubs as part of Swansea's final push for promotion is now being disputed," Clegg told itfc.co.uk.Ipswich claim the loan agreement made provision for Swansea to pay for Priskin's wages up to May 31 even though he was injured on April 22.They also say the contract provided for "cumulative payments for each stage of the play-off competition"."I am genuinely delighted for Swansea and their fans but the attempted renegotiation and deliberate mis-interpretation of agreed terms by their chairman (Huw Jenkins) is not fitting for a club which has just secured the ultimate prize in Championship football and its £90million windfall.

"Tamas arrived in Swansea fit and became injured while under their care - that's football but contracts have to be honoured and I have absolutely no interest in renegotiating this agreement.

"As a result of Swansea refusing to pay our invoices I have reported them to the Premier League, sought an immediate transfer embargo and am now seeking full payment of all outstanding sums with the agreed contractual interest rate of five per cent above base."

Sunderland Bid £8m For Connor Wickham

Sunderland have made what is understood to be the first firm bid for Ipswich Town striker Connor Wickham with an offer of £8 million.Steve Bruce's side had been heavily linked with a move for Wickham two weeks ago, with reports suggesting that the Mackems were battling with Premier League rivals Liverpool for the teenager's signature. Any such reports were shown to be false at the time after the club revealed that no bids had been received, but it is believed that Bruce has now tabled a firm offer for the 18-year-old, potentially sparking a bidding war with other prospective suitors.Although Wickham recently extended his contract at Portman Road until 2014, the deal is widely thought to include a clause which will allow the England U21 international to hold talks with any club that bids a certain minimum figure, believed to be between £10 million and £15 million. Sunderland's offer is reported to include several clauses which may subsequently raise the value of their bid above the £10 million threshold, but Wickham is unlikely to move to the Stadium of Light if a rival bid is received from the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal, who were all linked with the striker during last season.

Rumours about Wickham's future have been spreading for a long time but speculation has grown notably in recent weeks, particularly following the arrival of new strikers Michael Chopra and Nathan Ellington at Portman Road. However, Town manager Paul Jewell has already stressed that Wickham is still very much in his plans for next season.

'We don't want to sell Connor Wickham, but if he wants to leave and the right offer comes in then we'll have to consider it,' Jewell told BBC Radio Suffolk. 'But until then - Connor's never given me any indication he wants to leave - our backs aren't against the wall, we're in control of the situation.'

Portsmouth Sign David Norris

Portsmouth have agreed a deal to sign former Ipswich captain David Norris on a free transfer.The 30-year-old will become Pompey's first signing since the club was bought by Convers Sports Initiatives earlier this month. Norris had turned down the offer of a new two-year deal at Portman Road. Pompey boss Steve Cotterill told BBC Radio Solent: "David has stayed patient while we waited for the takeover, and I'm delighted to have finally got him." He added: "We missed out on three or four free transfers while we waited for the takeover to be finalised, but David really wanted to come here." Norris, who scored 11 goals last season, cost Ipswich £2m when they bought him from Plymouth in January 2008. "He brings good leadership qualities," added Cotterill. "He's been captain of Ipswich, which is a fantastic club, and he also brings goals with him. He's a top lad and we're really looking forward to working with him." Cotterill has found himself unable to add any permanent signings in recent months, due to the ongoing uncertainty over the club's off-field future. "It's just nice to sign a player", he added.

"It's been unbelievably difficult over the last 12 months, so to sign a player of David's quality is a real bonus. I'm sure he'll go down well with the Pompey fans."

Ipswich have Bid for Chopra Accepted

Cardiff have accepted a £1.5 million offer from Ipswich Town for striker Michael Chopra, according to reports in Wales. The Blues made an initial £1 million bid which was rejected before returning with an increased offer in recent days. Chopra, Cardiff’s highest paid player last season, now looks set to hold talks with the Ipswich management regarding personal terms.The 27-year-old was one of ex-Ipswich boss Keane’s main targets last season, having played for him at Sunderland, but then the club weren’t prepared to pay the Bluebirds' asking price of around £4 million.The one-time Newcastle trainee, who is contracted to Cardiff until 2012, scored 11 goals in 28 starts and 11 sub appearances during 2010/11 despite being in and out of the side due to injuries.

Ipswich hammered in the"old farm" derby

Norwich returned to second in the Championship with a superb victory over local rivals Ipswich at Portman Road.Andrew Surman opened the scoring with a tap-in after Arran Lee-Barrett parried Wes Hoolahan's cross.Gareth McAuley inadvertantly touched in David Fox's corner before Simeon Jackson brilliantly converted Grant Holt's splendid delivery.Jimmy Bullard reduced the deficit with a cracking drive before late strikes from Russell Martin and Danny Pacheco.The resounding win meant the Canaries achieved their first double over the Suffolk club since the 2003/2004 season.But, more importantly, Paul Lambert's team regained the initiative from Cardiff in the race for the Premier League and increased their hopes of a second successive promotion.Cardiff are now two points behind the Canaries - but do have a game in hand.

The Bluebirds host Championship leaders QPR on Saturday in a key lunchtime match - which will be televised on BBC One and live on the BBC Sport website - with Rangers knowing a win will secure their own return to the top flight."We have personnel in the team that can make things happen," Lambert told BBC Radio 5 live."Having been promoted, we were just looking to survive this season. The supporters have been brilliant for us and they make a big, big difference. The spirit is good and there are top players here."The Canaries finished third in the first Premier League season in 1992/93 but were relegated two seasons later. They regained their place in the top flight in 2004 but struggled and were relegated after finishing second from bottom.Norwich were relegated again into League One in 2009 but, after losing their opening game at home 7-1 to Colchester, they rebounded in spectacular fashion, winning the title by nine points.In Thursday's match, Norwich looked dangerous every time they broke forward but were also strong defensively against Paul Jewell's side, who had won four of their last five games going into the derby.Ipswich produced a lacklustre performance in the first half but improved after the break.Bullard was quiet but created the home side's best chances. He first caused Norwich nerves to twitch with a curling free-kick that went fractionally wide.The former Fulham and Hull player then volleyed narrowly wide before finally hitting the mark 12 minutes from the end.But any thoughts of a comeback were ended when full-back Martin slammed Norwich's fourth following a quick counter by Hoolahan before substitute Pacheco powered in the fifth in stoppage time.

The result leaves Ipswich in 12th, six points below a play-off place

Spurs near £15m Wickham deal

Tottenham are closing in on a deal that would see Ipswich wonderkid Connor Wickham join the North London side for £15m, according to the Daily Mail.

17 year-old Wickham scored a hat-trick in their 6-0 thrashing of Doncaster on Tuesday night, and has previously had attention from a host of Premier League clubs. The main rivals for his signature would appear to be North London neighbours Arsenal, although they may be put off the high transfer fee required.

It is understood however that Tottenham are in pole position, having already held talks with the Ipswich board over a possible summer deal. With the player having recently signed a new contract iuntil 2013, that included a minimum fee release clause, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp could be happy to match it to bring the England U21 international to White Hart Lane.

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Ipswich 3 Sheffield United 0

Ipswich continued their rise up the Championship table with a third straight league win against Sheffield United, who finished with nine men.
Damien Delaney headed home Jimmy Bullard's free-kick to put the hosts ahead, before David Norris converted Delaney's cross to double the lead.
Grant Leadbitter's penalty was saved by Steve Simonsen but a solo goal from Connor Wickham sealed the win.
The sorry Blades then had Rob Kozluk and Liam Williamson sent off late on.
The visitors started brightly without creating any clear-cut chances but Paul Jewell's side took the lead when Delaney headed home his third goal of the season.

The goal was created by the skill of Bullard, whose superb cross field pass to Norris was handled by Shane Lowry. From the resultant free-kick, Bullard floated over another great ball for the unmarked Delaney to nod past Simonsen.
With the Blades failing to trouble goalkeeper Marton Fulop, Ipswich doubled their lead shortly after the break when Delaney whipped over a left-wing cross to the far post, where Norris did well to find the space to send the ball home.
Tamas Priskin then hit the post from 18 yards, before the hosts went even closer to extending their lead when Leadbitter's penalty was turned around the post by Simonsen.

But the home fans did not have to wait long for another goal, as Wickham picked up the ball on the halfway line before beating a handful of defenders and firing home.
United's day went from bad to worse when Kozluk saw red for violent conduct, before Williamson talked himself into a second yellow card.

CARLING CUP Arsenal 3 - 0 Ipswich (agg 3 - 1)

Arsenal scored twice in three second-half minutes at the Emirates to break the resistance of stubborn Ipswich and claim their place in the Carling Cup final.
A precise right-footed finish from Nicklas Bendtner and a header from Laurent Koscielny put the Gunners ahead in the tie after Ipswich had won the first leg 1-0 at Portman Road.
Cesc Fabregas then sealed victory for Arsenal, who will now play either Birmingham or West Ham in the final at Wembley on 27 February as they attempt to win their first silverware since the 2005 FA Cup.
Huge credit must go to Championship strugglers Ipswich, who were well organised and kept their Premier League opponents at bay for 151 minutes in the tie, including more than an hour at the Emirates.

Ipswich 1 Arsenal 0

Championship Ipswich took a deserved first-leg lead in the Carling Cup semi-final as Tamas Priskin's cool finish proved enough to beat Arsenal.
The Gunners were on top early on, but Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin's shots trailed wide from tight angles.
The hosts responded as Priskin's long-range effort whistled wide and Johan Djourou intervened to deny the striker.
Cesc Fabregas missed a clear chance, but Priskin took Colin Healy's pass and beat Wojciech Szczesny to seal the win.

F.A.CUP CHELSEA 7 IPSWICH 0

Chelsea started their FA Cup defence with a resounding win over Championship strugglers Ipswich, paving the way for a fourth-round trip to Everton.
Salomon Kalou put Chelsea ahead after keeper Marton Fulop had failed to cut out a Nicolas Anelka strike.
Daniel Sturridge back-heeled a swift second before Frank Lampard's free-kick was deflected in by Carlos Edwards.
Anelka punished some slack defending to make it four, before Sturridge struck again and Lampard added a late double.
After the dramatic dip in league form that has seen Chelsea pick up just 10 points from their last 11 games, comfortable passage to the next round was the perfect tonic for the club's embattled manager, Carlo Ancelotti.