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

walberswick added 09:32 - Sep 5 The one loan that would be popular and get us some goals is going to Burnley.
0

runningout added 09:36 - Sep 5 He doesnt seem to get many games wherever he goes, and doesnt stay fit..
0

saffronblue added 09:41 - Sep 5 Would be an excellent signing, look at Terry and Ferdinand both playing well into their 30's at a much higher level. We must have freed up a fair few quid in wages getting rid of Bullard and Delaney so lets get this one done.
0

gaz0987 added 10:09 - Sep 5 Walberswick you have absolutely no idea what you are chatting about!!!!!!!!
0

bully added 10:20 - Sep 5 its not essential to have the greatest, fastest and hard tackling defender to improve our defense. if he can come here get fit and bring a calming effect on our twitch and nervy defense we will leek less goals. we need a unit that is confident and know what there job is. it is obvoius from how week we are at set pieces that a man who is a leader would improve us. If PJ is looking at Upson and sees those qualities and feels money spent is value I'm with him. If this is just another headline with no substance I would prefer a player who has past experience of being a captain of his team to be next linked.

0

StuartBrett8 added 10:22 - Sep 5 Upson is a good pro... you don't hear stories about him falling out of nightclubs at stupid O'clock... he could be a great role model for the young lad's in the squad
0

walberswick added 10:22 - Sep 5 @gazb*m I know, you're absolutely right but that doesn't seem to stop stop everyone else chatting rubbish. However, Upson played so badly against Swindon Stoke need to senf him out to see if he can still run.
0

walberswick added 10:52 - Sep 5 Stand down everyone, he's going to Southampton.
0

Surco72 added 11:54 - Sep 5 Walberswick ..the Saints were interested last April ,think you may be living in the past my friend
0

itfcboi added 12:13 - Sep 5 Get him in. He may be getting on a bit but we haven't had a decent back line since the likes of McGreal and De-vos who were no spring chickens. We need a centre half who can stair a forward in the eye and not flap everytime someone makes a dash for goal.
0

MathieandMarshall added 12:31 - Sep 5 @alexharban - Dont worry about the West Ham fans opinion. Having been to Upton Park a few times over the years with my old man i can say that they moan and groan as much, if not more than us Blues fans!!
0

BerlinBlue added 14:06 - Sep 5 I like the sound of this. Very good defender with loads of experience. Plus he scored against Germany in the World Cup, so I'd have him simply because of that :)
0

RaymondovicBlue added 14:34 - Sep 5 Looks petrified - SURELY the prospect of joining our defence isn't that bad ... is it? I'd say that if he is a genuine prospect on wages we can afford then of course he is better than either of our CB's currently on the books. With only 2 of them then I'd say a loan is better than nothing - but if he did want a 3 year deal then that is all the better for a fit and strong CB with bags of experience !

0

RaymondovicBlue added 14:34 - Sep 5 Petrified .. or has the French man just kicked him you know where as well ?!??!
0

wkj added 14:58 - Sep 5 I think that's his reaction to when his agent tells him how low Clegg wants him to go
0

RaymondovicBlue added 15:27 - Sep 5 wkd - like it !
0

RaymondovicBlue added 15:32 - Sep 5 Sorry - WKJ ... was thinking about the luminous drink again!
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls