Town will not be offering a contract to 33-year-old former Tottenham and Portsmouth defender Ricardo Rocha, who was on trial at Playford Road last week. However, assistant manager says trialist keeper Rhys Taylor does stand a chance of winning terms with the Blues, while the search for a loan striker goes on.

Hutchings says that with Danny Higginbotham having come in on loan from Stoke, Rocha won’t be required: “He did OK. I think he’s gone back now.

“It was something that we looked at regarding defensive cover, but then we got Danny Higginbotham in and he’s filling that gap at the moment. I don’t think that will be progressed.”

http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/21551/trialist-keeper-in-u21s-side-facin keeper Rhys Taylor played in yesterday’s 3-2 U21s victory over Barnet and the 22-year-old has impressed the Blues assistant boss: “He’s done OK. He’s in for a couple of days. We’re going to assess things and I’m sure that we’ll probably want to look at him again.

“On first impressions, he made a couple of good saves and we’ll just have to see how that develops from there.

“It was an opportunity to get him in and play him in the game and with this week having been busy - we’ve been away for a couple of days - I’m sure we’ll probably get him back in.”

Town recently took former Real Madrid youngster Aleix Manzano on trial and Hutchings says they are looking for someone to come in between senior keepers Scott Loach and Arran Lee-Barrett and Norwegian Michael Crowe, who joined the academy this summer: “We’ve got a void at this club at the moment of a goalkeeper for an U21 role. Whether he steps on to be a number two as well [would remain to be seen].

“We’ve got young Michael who plays for the youth team and then we’ve got a void and it’s something that we’re trying to eradicate.”

Despite Michael Chopra being in with a chance of returning to the side at Brighton after his thigh injury, Hutchings says the Blues are continuing their search for a loan striker having failed to land QPR’s DJ Campbell last week.

He says no deal is currently close but that things can change quickly: “You never know, 24 hours is a long time, something could happen, it may not, we’re just having to wait and see how things develop.”

Photo: Action Images

samITFC added 11:33 - Oct 1 SIGN A FORWARD NOW!!! WE NEED DONE BADLY!
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samITFC added 11:33 - Oct 1 WE NEED ONE BADLY
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casanovacrow added 11:35 - Oct 1 I thought 6'1 as a keeper was to short for Jewell? I'm pretty sure there are more pressing matters to sort than a keeper for our u21's anyway.
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JimmyJazz added 11:41 - Oct 1 More pressing areas - yes But I'd be happy to see Rhys Taylor sign for us
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irishtim added 11:50 - Oct 1 God a disgrace our manager not at the club to tell us this. Unless he is trying to find another trialist.
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yorksblue added 12:27 - Oct 1 Agreed that 24 hrs is a long time. So is the last 2 years of listening to garbage excuses.
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irishtim added 12:29 - Oct 1 Bullard retires.
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Mark added 12:43 - Oct 1 “It was something that we looked at regarding defensive cover, but then we got Danny Higginbotham in and he's filling that gap at the moment. " Higginbotham is not just defensive cover though it he, he's a first choice centre back! I think it is a failing not to have invested properly in a quality centre back or two since we released McAuley.
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Garv added 13:18 - Oct 1 In fairness Mark we did bring in Chambers who I think will prove to be a good signing. But after it became obvious Smith was still not ready for consistent first team football we got a bit stuck again. Releasing Delaney didn't help that, but Smith would arguably have stayed in the team ahead of Delaney anyway on account of his age and development, righty or wrongly. Higginbotham is a good stop gap, but he is a stop gap. Hopefully we can extend the loan. I've got a strong feeling we will.

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gibbo added 14:35 - Oct 1 Again we are drawing blanks with getting in yet another loan, when a quick flick onto bbc sport to see 3 championship teams have no trouble getting loans in. I do agree tho in bringing though the youth however we are talking about Jewell
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peteswindon added 14:51 - Oct 1 Its not like we need a defender is it?
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hairbear added 16:03 - Oct 1 Another loan after not wanting to go down that road again! We have 4 first team squad strikers fit, waiting for their chance and PJ wants another loan! A team with No confidence... i wonder why? JEWELL OUT!!!
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oscarwhiting added 17:10 - Oct 1 Jewell go play golf whilst we try to talk Evans and clegg into sacking you !!!!
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bingboast added 17:44 - Oct 1 Every fan I talk to says the same, they dont want to hear anymore news about the town, transfers/loans until its -Jewel has gone.
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Talbs77 added 19:51 - Oct 1 Wow never saw this coming.....not! Why do we even bother getting these trialists in if theres no chance of us ever signing any of them. God how many have there been now? dozens!!
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wychyblue added 20:16 - Oct 1 My son was a keeper at Crewe Alex academy for 8 years and was there when Rhys Taylor came there on loan for the season from Chelsea and saw a lot of him. Played well at Crewe behind a typically dodgy Crewe defence. Got plenty of practice and did well and would be a good addition and a more than able no 2 ( nothing against ALB). But agree , surely there are more pressing areas than a 'third' choice keeper. Priorities Mr Jewell !!

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kuyski added 20:59 - Oct 1 sure，there wont be any new singing before the new coach is coming
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Bluesaway added 22:13 - Oct 1 Nothing against Taylor, who could be a worthy no 2, but he's 22 and Hutchings says we need someone for the U21 side. Surely this makes him an over-age player and therefore the same as Lee-Barrett, so no difference? We either play one of the permitted over-age players as a goalkeeper, in which case Lee-Barrett could fit the bill, or we get someone 21 or under? Either way, it seems a red herring to be searching a third keeper when we're struggling for goals and unable to keep clean sheets with limited options in defence. Even if Higginbotham extends his loan, one injury and we're back to just two centre backs, let alone potential suspensions or lack of form. Most sides have at least four in the squad who can play centre back, unless Ainsley is shifted there we seem at least one player light.

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brockleyblueboy added 00:31 - Oct 2 Just what we need right now, a keeper! Unbelievable. How on earth, if sharp was so wanted by the club, did he end up at Forest. Beckfords been signed by Huddersfield (I may be wrong there) Sioux has gone to Leeds, cox has gone. I know we don't know what fully goes on behind the scenes but really. I am now now resigned to League 1 football. I can't see us, with Jewell in charge, getting ourselves out of this :-( Please prove me wrong when we play Brighton, please let it finally "click" tomorrow and we smash them 4-0. I can only hope.

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brockleyblueboy added 00:40 - Oct 2 ^^diuof
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Wickets added 15:23 - Oct 2 Is ME saving his cash for when Jewel's had enough.
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