Town target Matthew Upson has been named in Stoke’s 25-man Premier League squad for the first half of the season.

As reported yesterday, the former England international is one of the central defenders Paul Jewell is hoping to bring to Portman Road on loan.

His inclusion in the 25 would appear to suggest that the Potters are not currently inclined to let the 33-year-old move out on a longer term basis, although a shorter loan spell with the inclusion of a recall clause may appeal from Stoke's perspective to keep the Eye-born centre-half match fit. Jewell, however, may choose to look elsewhere if that is the case as he is looking for players who he ultimately wants to sign on a permanently.

Upson's first team opportunities at the Britannia Stadium would seem likely to be limited with a number of central defenders ahead of him in the pecking order.

One player who has been left out of the Potters’ squad is previous Blues target Danny Higginbotham, who could also be in the thoughts of Jewell and other Championship managers.

Jewell confirmed that he tried to sign the 33-year-old former Sunderland man on loan in January prior to him joining Nottingham Forest on a similar spell.

Meanwhile, we understand QPR's Clint Hill is also amongst the players on Jewell's list of potential loanees, however, the former Tranmere, Stoke and Crystal Palace man probably won't be available with the West Londoners' central defensive options currently lacking depth. The 33-year-old has been named in the 25 at Loftus Road.

Elsewhere, former Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot, who was linked with the Blues last week, has completed a switch to Blackpool.

Photo: Action Images

WhoisJimmyJuan added 17:12 - Sep 5 He looked terrified at the idea of joining us.
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irishtim added 17:12 - Sep 5 And so the search continues.
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TrueBlueFerret added 17:18 - Sep 5 Wots Up Son?? not cuming home!!!!!
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manualthetisfanclub added 17:19 - Sep 5 Good job....................next link!!!!!!!!!
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cornishnick added 17:21 - Sep 5 D'oh!
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taylor15 added 17:25 - Sep 5 this is good news. i know most town fans will be getting impatient that we haven't got in another one or two centre backs, but matthew upson is WELL off the pace. he's 33, yes that's an experienced head at the back four, but experience with no recent games, slow, and poor on the ball is not what we want. COYB! patience is what is needed.
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Kesgraveblue57 added 17:28 - Sep 5 Paul Jewell has got a wonderul sense humour, Upson was never coming, Jewell wanted you to think he was good at his job, what you will get is a thrid donkey to go with Pinky and Perky in the centre of defence
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TractorCam added 17:38 - Sep 5 You may aswell loan him out Stoke, you're hardly going to include him ahead of Robert Huth or Ryan Shawcross are you?
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Mark added 17:38 - Sep 5 Forget him though. It is disappointing that we are scratching round for centre backs on loan after the close of the transfer window, as three months is the maximum loan allowed now.
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menacinho added 17:43 - Sep 5 Kesgrave Blue : please point me to the interview where Paul Jewell said he was looking to sign Upson. Speculation and nothing more, but don't let that stop you from having another unfair swipe at our manager.
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TractorBeezer added 17:44 - Sep 5 Not a good sign. I am not excited about a short term loan without the potential of a permanent signing. The Premier squads can be found here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2198613/Barclays-Premier-Leagu
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grumpyoldman added 18:09 - Sep 5 It is now official we have now had more links than Bradley Wiggins chain, it may get the people discussing the players but after a time it just pi**es people off
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ipswich61 added 18:13 - Sep 5 lol another f#cked up story and jewell your back 4 is f#cked up as well JEWELL OUT
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TownLad21 added 18:13 - Sep 5 AHHHH STOP GETTING MY HOPES UP
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h32 added 18:20 - Sep 5 ...... never has so many been fooled by so few - and it continues .....
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karls_dad added 18:28 - Sep 5 And now for the most used four letter word in a brothel..........................NEXT!
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Dissboyitfc added 18:36 - Sep 5 well grumpyold man no one is holding a gun to any ones head, everyone knows where the off button is. Anyway, we move on to the next link...coyb
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karls_dad added 18:51 - Sep 5 The real sadness of all this is we have known for some years now where our weakness lies, so do other clubs, we just had the longest close season in memory, and we are still sodding around trying to get some loans in, not our players somebody elses, In any other business heads would roll for being so poor sighted and inept!
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RegencyBlue added 18:51 - Sep 5 Thats that then!
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Legend added 18:52 - Sep 5 We will get linked with loads of players before next weekend and end up with calamity bramble probably!!! Although it's so obviously going to be st ledger! These links are fast becoming like the little boy who cried will...... Nobody believes any of it anymore! I certainly don't untill I see a photo of them holding a town shirt!
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Legend added 18:54 - Sep 5 Cried wolf I meant lol My bad!!!!
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runningout added 19:27 - Sep 5 Blessing in disguise ; )
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grumpyoldman added 19:30 - Sep 5 dissboyitfc, it is just so frustrating all the links but few arrivals
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truthhurts added 19:33 - Sep 5 Upson wouldn't have been the answer. Not because he is a bad player (certainly by Championship standards) but because of his age... sorry. Aren't the vast majority of us all wanting younger players in our side? I know there is a happy medium, but a loan deal for a Premiership player in the twilight of their career isn't the way forward. Different position, but we had our fingers burnt with Bullard.... Loan players from the Premiership generally mean one of two things. Firstly they are a young player that we help develop (don't have an issue with that personally) or they are an older player that, basically, can't cut it in the top league anymore (if they could a smaller Premiership side would've signed them). On that basis I would much prefer we target a younger player - say mid-20s - from our league or below on an initial loan deal with the option to buy in January. This is a scenerio that will hopefully come try with regards Boyd (midfielder I know, but a creative spark and goal threat we most certainly lack at present). Harry Maguire from Sheffield Utd would be one such option...

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Talbs77 added 19:36 - Sep 5 Wow nows theres a surprise!! Linked to player that doesnt come about!! Its all getting a bit boring. Wake me up when we sign someone.
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