Ipswich Town manager Paul Hurst has today confirmed that any potential deal to sign former West Ham United centre-back and free agent James Collins has gone, reported the club on their official Twitter account. 

The 35-year-old was released by the Hammers at the end of last season and has been training with the Tractor Boys for a few weeks now, but Hurst confirmed the move will now not happen.

When asked about the deal, the manager bluntly replied: “I had a message from James Collins and that deal is dead and buried now.”

He gave no further detail on why the centre-back will now not be signing for the club, only that he will not.

Ipswich currently sit bottom of the Championship after eight games without a win and it is not surprising they were keen to strengthen at the back.

The Tractory Boys welcome Bolton Wanderers to Portman Road on Saturday where the home side have drawn every game they have played this season.

The verdict 

This is no big loss to Ipswich at all.

Whilst Collins' experience may have been useful, his on the pitch influence would not have been what it used to be at all.

He has become injury prone and Hurst should not be too despondent.