TWTD understands that former Coventry, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Hull City midfielder George Boateng is currently training with Town. The 35-year-old is a free agent having been released from his contract with Greek side Skoda Xanthi at the end of the season.

Boateng, who was previously targeted by former Town manager Roy Keane in 2009 when his high wages proved a stumbling block, looks an ideal candidate for the holding midfield role Paul Jewell has been looking to fill this summer.

Born in Nkawkaw, Ghana, Boateng moved to Holland as a child and started his career with Rotterdam club Excelsior before moving across the city to Feyenoord in 1995.

In December 1997 he moved to Coventry City for £250,000, then a £4.5 million move to Aston Villa followed in July 1999, the midfielder playing in the 2000 FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

Middlesbrough paid £5 million for Boateng’s services in August 2002 and was in the sides which won the 2004 League Cup and lost the 2006 UEFA Cup final.

Hull City was Boateng’s next port of call in July 2008, the Tigers paying £1 million for a player who was to become a close friend of former Town loanee Jimmy Bullard during his time at the KC Stadium.

Capped four times by Holland earlier in his career, Boateng left Hull for Greek side Skoda Xanthi in July 2010, signing a two-year deal and playing alongside recent Town signing Nathan Ellington during his loan spell with the Greek club last season. It's understood that Boateng and Skoda agreed to go their separate ways at the end of 2010/11.

Yesterday, TWTD reported that Town could sign two players prior to next week’s pre-season tour of Holland with Lee Bowyer and Boateng looking the favourites to be Jewell’s fifth and sixth summer additions to his squad.

Elsewhere, former Blue Tommy Miller has joined Jordan Rhodes, Gary Roberts and Alan Lee at Huddersfield Town having been released by Sheffield Wednesday at the end of the season.

Photo: Action Images

TractorRoyNo1 added 01:20 - Jul 8 last of the summer wine
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Guthrum added 01:37 - Jul 8 If they do the job, get 'em in and I, for one, will be glad of it!
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Bluearmy71 added 03:18 - Jul 8 Anyone worrying about his age just think back to John Wark's 3rd spell at the club, his experience put even the best strikers to shame at the time........a good, strong signing!
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pennblue added 05:54 - Jul 8 Leadbitter now needs to sign a new contract or we sell him. Cannot let him walk out for nothing.
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DiamondGezzer added 05:59 - Jul 8 Shouldn't we wait and see if he gets signed first. Leave it to Paul Jewell, that's what he gets paid for and his judgement hasn't been bad yet.
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ozzydog added 06:00 - Jul 8 Speaking as an old fart, 35 is the new 25, can`t beat a bit of experience mixed up with yoof PJ is a proper footie manager he knows what he is doing COYB
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ipswichm8 added 07:07 - Jul 8 who the hell is he
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manualthetisfanclub added 07:09 - Jul 8 Who do you think you are kidding mr jewelly,do you think got em on the run!,oh sorry got that last bit wrong,our potential midfield can't run as they would mainly be pensioners and would need their motorised scooters to get up and down the pitch.I don't like bleating on about being negative,but only cresswell,chopra have potencial to do well the others,their best days long gone!what this team needs is some PACE and youth,come on jewell sort it out!

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churchmans added 07:18 - Jul 8 dont worry you muvas bring him in on a years contract we just want to go up this season! you imbasiles are thinking long term were as pj is not he just want to get us up quick!! yeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaa come on down!!
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dommyboyblue added 07:44 - Jul 8 Could not give a toss how old he is as long as he can do a job for town, he is only training with us so Jewell is seeing if he is 1. Fit enough 2. still good enough to play in this league and if he decides he is who are any of us to argue. It is not as if any of us are hanging of the gate a playford road watching him train to pass judgement. He may provide valuable experience for the youngsters in the squad and may be just what we will need. Let us wait and see.

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Tillz9 added 07:49 - Jul 8 Good experienced player. If he is fit enough still would be a great signing. Man U still had Giggs and Scholes in there midfield last year and didn't seem to do them any harm !!! Bowyer, Boatang , Leadbitter and possibly Bullard would give us 4 top drawer experienced players at this level. I am sure between them we would be well covered for the season
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Dissboyitfc added 07:49 - Jul 8 Surely a wind up, Phil? until there is a real story. What about Ivan Campo? He's a 30 something.. NO NO NO NO NO .COYB
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Dissboyitfc added 08:00 - Jul 8 Bluearmy71, yes i remember the legends 3rd spell at portman road, used his many years to great effect in always knowing where to be on the pitch. But the sad fact is at 35 yrs old the legs do go, no more 30 yr olds please....COYB
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50yearsablue added 08:09 - Jul 8 Can't believe that Ellington at 30 is being classified as past it. Some ludicrous comments on here and the reference to Giggs and Scholes was spot on. If you've got the legs around you, then what's the problem? I've posted on here before that the first 10 yards are played with the brain. I'd rather players who can play but can't run (quickly) than those who can run but can't play.

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nearly50yearsblue added 08:37 - Jul 8 I stated here several weeks ago tha PJ has £3 million to spend,with or without the Wickham money. I have no problem in snapping up free transfers etc,as long as the funds are available in January. My biggest issue is will PJ succeed with the older players he has signed by being in the top 4 by the end of the year,tough ask. Let the battle commence.
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dirtyboy added 08:52 - Jul 8 I hate the ageist brigade on here. I know this is a slightly unfair, but, look at Ryan Giggs, Paolo Maldini, Baresi, van Der Saar, Beckham, all playing at a superb level, way past their 35th birthday. I'm sure PJ can assess what a player can and can't do. I'm aslo pretty sure, when two players are training side by side, he can make a decision on whose ability is better, with far more clarity than any of the posters on here. FFS, if you're good enough, you're old enough, apply whichever end of the scale you like.

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ipswich85 added 08:55 - Jul 8 Good get boateng to persuade Bullard to sort out his transfer to us
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cornishnick added 08:59 - Jul 8 As long as we get a couple more younger players in as well. Problem with too many oldies is that they will all need raplacing again next term. It is a balancing act. But remember when Pompey got promoted several years ago - full of 'experience'
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marcus139 added 08:59 - Jul 8 Seeing Leicester's transfer activity against ours is depressing me.
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blueherts added 09:00 - Jul 8 Maysixth - Skoda (read about Rallying ) As for the signings - great - we have some very talented and quick youngsters - where we have failed in recent years is not having the edge or even the experience to close out games - this is another smart move PJ .. Believe - still want a RB
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rogie_dog added 09:07 - Jul 8 Not sure why anyone has a problem with this. There's no fee involved so it's really a no lose gamble.
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jollyroger added 09:13 - Jul 8 i have great faith in paul jewell but wonder just where he is going with this plan it seems to me he is blowing his transfer kitty on wages alone he must invest some of the wickham money on transfer fees for younger who will serve our club for years to come and not just one or two c o y b
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BwoodBlue added 09:16 - Jul 8 No thanks
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randomblue added 09:24 - Jul 8 Would be a good signing. Lots of people are kicking off about Bowyer and Boateng being too old but I personally think it would be a good thing. The likes of Carson, Civelli, Martin, Leadbitter etc are younger squad players that surely would benefit from being around older players if only for a season?! Just my thoughts...!
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marcusevans added 09:42 - Jul 8 If Leicester had a midfield of Carson, Bullard, Boateng, Bowyer, Leadbitter and/or a firing on all cylinders Lee Martin I think we would be looking at them as genuine promotion contenders. Our midfield could be the envy of the division. I for one support PJ's policy of free transfers and high wages. Look at the quality we are now talking about! Not long ago some on this site were moaning about the LACK of quality in our side. Paul Jewell is doing a fantastic job in my eyes. We must all support his decisions. Most will prove to be good, but remember Sir Alex signs the odd lemon!

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