Ipswich Town boss George Burley will step up the chase for a left-sided midfielder this week after he confirmed triallist Romeo Wouden had been released.

The 28-year-old Sparta Rotterdam winger had been tipped to replace Bobby Petta but, after a disappointing performance in Blues' 2-1 defeat against FC Twente, Burley has decided to turn his attentions elsewhere.

He said: "It's not easy to get the type of player we want and we won't just sign players for the sake of it or because we are short in a certain area.

"The First Division is a strong league and it is important we get players who are of the right standard."

Burley hoped Wouden, who was available for a nominal fee, would solve his headache on the left-wing. Sunderland's Martin Smith rejected the chance to join the set-up at Portman Road and now the Blues boss has been left disappointed by Wouden.

But Burley remains undeterred and fans could yet still see a new signing before the season begins on Saturday.

He said: "We are looking to bring two or three new faces in. We have already signed Jermaine Wright and are working hard to bring in other new players."

Burley refused to be drawn on the possible signing of Helsingborgs' £1m-rated defender Andreas Jakobsson but added: "We are in talks with a club and we haven't yet written the deal off."

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