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

oldbluestu added 19:04 - Sep 4 I don't understand all these comments about too old and slow. John Terry, anyone? Terry is getting old and has always been slow, but I think Terry would get into any club team in the world, but for some fans here obviously not Town, he would be too old and slow Terry Butcher was never the fastest CH but like John Terry he could read the game
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essexblue41 added 19:19 - Sep 4 never have rated him prone to make too many mistakes like damien let's hope if paul jewell is re-sizing our team he brings in a target man upfront someone who can head a ball at goal and also hold the ball up to bring others into play chopra is good but no good on his own
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marcus9 added 19:19 - Sep 4 yes old bluestu quite right some of best cbs well over 30 like vintage wine upson would be quality signin bring soke stability to back line but still needanother one
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walberswick added 19:20 - Sep 4 perhaps taylor could sit on upson's shoulders at corners?
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marcus9 added 19:23 - Sep 4 anyone know anything about this moshni any reports on him
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Tufty added 19:24 - Sep 4 As most posters agree we need centre backs and at least this guy has some experience and cant make our defensive frailties any worse than they are now. If Walberswick doesnt want to waste another year perhaps he could try Southend Utd
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h32 added 19:26 - Sep 4 ..... every player mentioned as a potential signing is a 'star' in the eyes of some - doesn't matter who / what he is. Sign of the times I guess - DESPERATION kicks in. Upson would certainly not be my choice now - but he is the type of player we need for sure.
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h32 added 19:30 - Sep 4 ..... and of course if he wants more than '4 bob' a week - no chance anyway.
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MattinLondon added 19:38 - Sep 4 I think it'll be a brilliant signing even if its only a loan signing to the end of the season. Smith, Cresswell and Hewitt will learn a lot from him as will Chambers. Also his experience will hopefully influence the non-defensive players as well.
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Talbs77 added 19:42 - Sep 4 Can't understand people on here having a go at Upson potentially coming here, he's a quality centre back who, not that logn ago, was playing for England. If people think Tommy Smith and Chambers as the only CB at the club, is the answer, their dillusional! As for this Moshni, apparently he can play CB or centre forward, how random is that!! Like good old days of Marshall and if hes half as good as him then we should have a punt on him. Although worryingly he has fallen out with everyone and anyone and was apparently substituted in the pre season freindly against town so may not exactly be a team player.

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Tractamatt added 19:46 - Sep 4 This would be one of Jewells better signings and those who automatically get there backs up when a 30 something player is mentioned need to realise that our present back 4 seriously lacks experience of competeting at the level we are trying to attain and Upson would also make a good central defense partner for Moshi may even help calm him down a touch.COYB
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TimmyH added 19:56 - Sep 4 Well Upson certainly IS NOT the player he used to be and as said needs to lose weight and get fitter, no shirkers in this league! but would add very valuable experience.
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BYRNE_16 added 20:09 - Sep 4 Defo sign him up. Any town fan not happy with is potential loan should have their heads examined
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itfc1981 added 20:24 - Sep 4 Where would his wages come from Mr Clegg? If you cant afford Boyd, dont even start talking to Upson.
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beerhelps added 20:26 - Sep 4 Come on home Matt you don't need any more money! You could be the next Hunter/DeVos/Mowbury - finish your carrer in your own back yard and become a local legend - you know it makes sence! Mind you, I know a couple of your cousins and they will be hasseling you for tickets
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alfromcol added 20:37 - Sep 4 presumably if he is on loan, the club will only have to play a % of his wages???
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runaround added 20:42 - Sep 4 As long as he is fit and would want to come, I would say yes. He has bags of experience and would be a much needed calming influence on our somewhat dodgy defence
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righty added 20:45 - Sep 4 Here we go again get the pensioners back in on big wages another Bowyer Sonko etc JEWELL OUT
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wrighty_blue97 added 20:45 - Sep 4 Would be a great player for us a premier league defender is just what we need, he is a england international also and he scored against germany so a lad in my opinion but he and chambers/smith would be a solid centre half pairing :)
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Keaneish added 20:48 - Sep 4 On another note, although i think this would be a great signing... Bothroyd to Sheff Wed and Beckford possibly on his way to Huddersfield.... REALLY!!!? Imagine either of those two with Chops...mouth watering! Upson, Boyd and one of the above in on loan and lets play the Joe Royle way!
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ipswich61 added 20:52 - Sep 4 too f#cking old what happend to building for the future,there's sertinatly no future in this guy jewell do the decent thing and walk
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Whymarktonomarks added 21:04 - Sep 4 Food for thought ... Why do we always have to advertise all our targets ? In the recent window Blackpool and Forest did some fantastic business and nothing was released till they were finalised Furthermore , Tommy Smith could be good asset . Evidence for the Defence ,excuse the pun ,as follows . Who was the best player ,in the back four ,for the only team in the last World cup ,not to lose a game in the Finals ? Correct ,Mr. Smith . This ,presumably is why he hasn't been replaced so far by numerous candidates from the lower leagues who would probably walk to Portman Road for 5k a week . So how do you get the best out of a young man who clearly wants to do well at Ipswich ? That's right , his Governor slags him off everytime we lose . How would you perform when every week for 18 months you read that you are going to be replaced . I would not be surprised that if and when Tommy moves on , to a club and Manager who knows how to bring the best out of his Staff ,that he will be a success .

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Infineteregress added 21:09 - Sep 4 He may be getting on a bit age wise, but I'd favour him over Moshni, who by all accounts sounds like a bit of a liability. Solid and plenty of experience, wages might be a bit of an issue but we could do worse a lot worse.
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menacinho added 21:30 - Sep 4 Whymarktonomarks - we haven't advertised it though, no-one from the club has said anything about Upson! It's just speculation at this stage in the media. And I have never heard PJ slag off Tommy Smith; he is always full of praise for him. But he is clearly struggling for form at the moment.
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Ipswichbusiness added 21:30 - Sep 4 First, I think that almost everyone is being too hard on Tommy Smith who is a decent young defender who will get better. Second,, I think that Upson is potentially a good experienced signing who could knock our porous defence together; the question is what price? Finally, I know nothing about the youngsters, but if Mr Jewell rates them and they are cheap why not give them a chance? It's just a shame that our own youth team isn't producing them.

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