'Very unlikely': Ipswich Town boss Paul Hurst doubtful of move for Blackpool's Curtis Tilt

The Championship club have chased the centre back for much of the summer but have been left frustrated with negotations with Blackpool owner Owen Oyston.

Ipswich were thought to be close to sealing a loan move with a view to the deal becoming permanent during the January transfer window, but talks have since stalled ahead of Friday's deadline.

It is understood the latest breakdown relates to Blackpool revising the terms of the deal once again and insisting on a more significant up-front payment.

However, Ipswich have still yet to meet Blackpool's £1m valuation of the 27-year-old - but a last-ditch return to negoiations can not be discounted.

“I would have liked to (sign Tilt) but I have to say that’s looking very unlikely,” Hurst told the East Anglian Daily Times.

Tilt, who handed in a transfer request earlier this summer, has been left out of Blackpool's squad for their last two games.

When asked why Tilt was once again left out at Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday, Terry McPhillips said: “He got injured in training on Monday and got a bad knock after a collision with Chris Taylor, so that was that.

“He’s still tight and stuff. He’s got a tight hamstring and that’s it.

“We’ll have to see on Friday at tea time (if he will remain a Blackpool player). If he is, then hopefully he’s ready for Walsall on Saturday.”

It comes after a fine debut season for the centre-back, who made a seamless transition from non-league after signing from National League side Wrexham summer.

Last season was his first experience of the Football League but the Walsall-born Tilt impressed and ended up winning three gongs at the club’s end-of-season awards night, including The Gazette’s player of the season.

Tilt put in a string of man of the match displays and was a virtual ever-present for Pool last season, missing only two League One games through suspension and finishing the campaign with 45 appearances to his name.

He built up an impressive central defensive partnership with Clark Robertson, who joined Championship side Rotherham United on a free transfer earlier this summer.