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

blues1 added 19:36 - Jul 8 really do wonder where some of our fans are coming from? whoppit, "weve already signed a number of veterans?????? ingimarsson, 33. ah, weve signed 1 then. you thoink jewells a muppet. why dont you just bugger off & support some1 else you haven t got a clue. itfc24, have you actually seen haroun play(not just video clips of him)? if not how you know if vhe any good at all? lets get back to facts anyway. 1 our squad over last few years has been way too young. 2 pj is now addressing that by bringing in 2 or 3 older wiser heads, not just any older players but players whove played at the highest level for most of their careers. 3. unlike years ago, when players were over the hill at 33-34, players are now more athletic, & keep themselves fit. therefore they tend to play longer. man utd did pretty well last season with giggs & scholes in their side. so folks, wake up, get behind the manager, he knows what we need to achieve our goals. hes now addressing that.

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robdaful added 19:43 - Jul 8 Would be a good signing.
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bigfatjoe added 19:55 - Jul 8 dont agree with this one, boateng needs his pipe and slippers now. bowyer yes boateng no.
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BurleyForever added 20:39 - Jul 8 That's more like it Ipswich Town Seniors coming along nicely. Mind you worked for John (Budgie) Bond many years ago.
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Crock added 20:50 - Jul 8 Sign him up
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h32 added 17:51 - Jul 9 ...... sign him up, he can still run 'just' - not important anymore to have other attributes to sign for ITFC - all welcome. There may still be someone in a draw somewhere at Carrot Road, they no longer want - if so let's have him as well.
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Sniegster added 17:52 - Jul 9 Not every day we'd get to see what a player is like for a week or two in training first, so if we sign him, then it'll be because he has been checked and has done well. Don't know why people are worried about him playing for Skoda Xanthi. If it was Lada United, then I'd be worried...
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40yearsablue added 22:02 - Jul 9 Enough already.
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