Paul Jewell says Lee Mills has joined Manchester City on loan until the end of the season because the striker wanted first team football.

The 29-year-old striker has not played for the first team since the defeat at Sheffield Wednesday and was not even part of the 18-man squad that travelled to Spurs last weekend despite being fit.

Mills recently criticised Jewell at a supporters' forum in Skipton but the City boss is quick to stress that is not the reason why the loan deal has gone through.

Jewell said: "I don't take any notice of anything said at a supporters' bash. Things can get blown out of all proportion. It is nothing to do with the Manchester City deal.

"Lee has not been happy since day one this season and maybe this will help him kick-start his season."

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