Ipswich boss Paul Jewell has revealed Sunderland counterpart Steve Bruce politely ignored his offer to take England U21 striker Connor Wickham back on loan.

Wickham departed Portman Road for Wearside on a four-year deal earlier in the summer for a fee in the region of £8million, with add-ons.

The 18-year-old has been limited to three substitute appearances in the Premier League so far, but Jewell's attempts to take Wickham back on loan have been rebuffed.

"I spoke with Steve the other day and we were chatting about various things. I thought Wickham probably needed another year in the Championship and I said to Steve if they wanted to loan him back, we would take him. He, very cleverly, went on to another subject," said Jewell.

"They bought him and he hasn't played but he might catch fire. He has certainly got the attributes and he is a man in body. But, football-wise, he is a boy."