TWTD understands that Stoke City’s former England man Matthew Upson is one of Blues manager Paul Jewell’s top central defensive loan targets. The Town boss is looking to add two centre-halves to his squad, ideally on loan with a view to permanent deals in January, once the emergency window opens at the weekend.

Suffolk boy Upson, 33, was born in Hartismere in Eye and played youth football alongside ex-Blues Richard Wright and Kieron Dyer with Whitton Sports.

The 6ft 1in tall defender, whose father Dickie is chairman of Thurlow Nunn League side Diss Town, was with the Blues' Centre of Excellence as a schoolboy but followed former Town youth coach Terry Westley to Luton and signed a pro deal in 1996.

Having made just one league sub appearance for the Hatters, he was sold to Arsenal in May 1997 for £2 million.

After six years at Arsenal, during which time he was unable to win a regular place and was sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Reading, Upson moved on to Birmingham for a fee which could ultimately have risen to £3 million after clauses.

In January 2007 he was sold to West Ham for £6 million, leaving the Hammers after his contract expired following their 2010/11 relegation.

Blues boss Paul Jewell revealed that he had tried to recruit Upson following his Upton Park exit but instead he joined his current club Stoke, signing a two-year contract.

Capped 21 times by England including appearances at the 2010 World Cup, scoring two goals, Upson made 20 starts and four sub appearances last season, scoring one goal. His only involvement so far during this campaign was in the 4-3 Capital One Cup exit to Swindon Town.

As TWTD revealed yesterday, Town are currently running the rule over Southend's Bilel Mohsni, primarily a centre-half, while manager Jewell was at the U21 game between Arsenal and Everton last night with Gunners youngster Ignasi Miquel likely to have been the reason for his visit.

Photo: Action Images

kuyski added 17:25 - Sep 4 if good even 35 still will be good if not good even 25 still will be a rubbish
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NorthstaNder added 17:26 - Sep 4 Perfect. Just what we need....very experienced and still a very capable defender especially at championship level.
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TractorBeezer added 17:30 - Sep 4 I like the sound of this. He's on the last year of a 2 year contract and not getting a game for West Ham so he may be receptive. Perhaps his local roots here may be a factor as well. Hopefully we could negotiate something with West Ham and Matthew without exorbitant wages. Also I tried to "agree" with Edmunds 5 but it doesn't register.
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ITFCcharmer added 17:35 - Sep 4 Well said Edmunds5... Wish the moaners would take note of the constructive comment makers... Some people are too focused on doom and gloom and condemning us this season... as well as Jewell and Tommy Smith it seems!
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cornishnick added 17:38 - Sep 4 TractorBeezer, he plays for Stoke, not West Ham. Would be a decent enough signing if his heart was truly in it. But could we afford his wages?
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J45 added 17:40 - Sep 4 Would be a decent addition to the side and would be nice to have the last man to score for England in a world cup in the team.
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TractorBeezer added 17:43 - Sep 4 cornishnick, thanks for straightening me out.
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bluemonday added 17:47 - Sep 4 so predictable !!
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menacinho added 17:49 - Sep 4 Oh Walberswick, given your posting history of only ever complaining on here, I am loving the irony of you calling things boring and predictable. This would be an excellent signing; exactly the kind of experience we need. And he might not be as expensive as people think; he is now past the point where he will command big wages.
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bluearmy78 added 17:50 - Sep 4 I'd definitely sign him, he may be 33 but if we were to offer him a 2 yr contract he could possibly join the club as it would probably be his last contract??
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CornardBlue added 18:00 - Sep 4 Would be great signing, ME must back PJ on this one, our defence has been a joke for years i think he would also help to improve Tommy Smith. I would also take a punt with the lad from Southend, a friend of mine is a Southend season ticket holder and tells me on his day he awesome a bit headstrong but likes to get stuck in.
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casanovacrow added 18:06 - Sep 4 Currently for it as an idea dont get me wrong but always wary of another Mark Fish
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neillrumsey added 18:19 - Sep 4 Get the Arsenal youngster and Upson albeit the latter will not have played much football recently he has got quality. Greggs bakers will also be happy !!
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brass63 added 18:23 - Sep 4 Would be a great signing if Clegg & co could tie it up
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StowTractorBoy added 18:24 - Sep 4 This name has been bubbling under for weeks now so not surprised by this link. My only concern would be his physique as the last time I saw him for Stoke he looked rather wide. If he comes I'll be surprised if he is as fit as our squad but if we can afford him why not take a punt. Would also have a shot at the Southend lad as he looked a class above in admittedfly a poor Southend performance in the play offs.

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walberswick added 18:28 - Sep 4 Coulsd be a Sol Campell / Notts County type of disaster.
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Wickets added 18:29 - Sep 4 Not sure he has been playing much of late,Pj would have to make a judgement on his fitness and desire, much like he had too with Ingmasson, Bullard, Ellington, Sonko, Opps. If anywhere near his best would be great BUT!
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soclopath added 18:31 - Sep 4 With Upson in the team we would have a leader and a teacher just remember the guy who taught Beatie to be that good ok The Beat had natural ability bit Big Al was a great influence.
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bluemay77 added 18:37 - Sep 4 He won't want to come no one does any more
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BoomDog added 18:48 - Sep 4 wages will be too much- simple.if hes anything like the last prem loanees , no thxs.That said if Jewell pulls it off and gets him in , he does have pedigree
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mightytown added 18:50 - Sep 4 Sorry, are people crazy? Were linked with a move for former England International Matthew Upson (who has represented his country as recently as the last world cup), who has been playing regularly in the Premier League over the last few years - who is still only 33 and people are not happy with the thought of signing him? Not to mention we are linked with a young, talented Spanish under 21 international who has played fist team football for one of the top clubs in the country who play arguably the most attractive football in Europe and still people don't want to sign him? If we signed Upson and miquel, two very good centre backs to go alongside our other very capable centre back and the still improving Tommy smith who has also gained invaluable experience at both the Olympic games and most recent world cup then I would say we would have a very good defence indeed. There is nothing wrong with bringing players in on loan! why are some people never happy? I hope both these sign. They would improve us no end!

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WeirdFishes added 19:00 - Sep 4 Not trying to burst the bubble, but a wet spam fan said prior to his move to stoke "he's so bad I would actually feel sorry for whatever team he went to". I allways thought he was good, but they clearly don't.
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Dissboyitfc added 19:00 - Sep 4 Would need to lose some weight, a very good signing imo, so yes please would add the organizational skills we lack, Chambers and smith need that experience beside them and they would both benefit and learn. For those of you on about the age issue consider this, John wark in his third spell at portman road put in some top notch performances at CB at the age of 35 and beyond. We were promoted as 2nd division champions with him in the defence and remember he was never a natural defender, he was slow at times but such was his quality. with this in mind i think upson would be a valuable asset. So first things, lets see if we sign him then get him fit and onto to pitch in an ipswich shirt playing for us, b4 any of you decide whether he is past it...... coyb

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walberswick added 19:01 - Sep 4 could be useful for away games. he could be in charge of ordering the pies and fish and chips on the coach travelling home.
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Taricco_Fan added 19:01 - Sep 4 Yes please. As long as the numbers stack up (which I fear they won't), he would be an invaluable asset at Championship level. A wealth of experience which is vital in defence, and at 33 he's far from the scrap heap. Local boy too so shouldn't require the hard sell. Get him in!
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