PREMIERSHIP Leicester City today signed Ipswich Town striker Marcus Bent for the rest of the season.Hard-up Town tried to hang out for a permanent deal with no fee.

By Dave Allard

PREMIERSHIP Leicester City today signed Ipswich Town striker Marcus Bent for the rest of the season.

Hard-up Town tried to hang out for a permanent deal with no fee. But with the Premiership transfer window closing at 5pm tonight, the decision was made to accept the loan offer for the former Blackburn and England Under-21 man.

Bent was signed by Ipswich almost two years ago from Ewood Park in a £3million deal. He scored 23 goals in 70 games for the Blues, including in a 1-1 draw with Coventry this season.

Town boss Joe Royle said today: "The money we save on the wage bill by letting Marcus go will allow me to do something in the loan market myself."

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