TWTD understands that Town are closing in on the signing of former Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. The 27-year-old free agent has been at the club for the last two days and is understood to be undergoing a medical this afternoon.

The Cambridge-born former England U21 international has been sidelined since April with a broken leg and ankle ligament damage and has been back with Wolves during the opening months of the season working on his fitness, despite being released at the end of 2012/13.

If the deal is completed as expected, Ebanks-Blake will be signing for Mick McCarthy for the second time, the Blues boss having taken him to Wolves from Plymouth for £1.5 million in January 2008.

The former Manchester United trainee is understood to have held talks with Burnley and Leicester in recent weeks, while Leeds have also been linked.

Speaking last week, McCarthy confirmed that he would be interested in adding the frontman to his squad once he was fit, but expected strong competition from elsewhere.

“I think he’s progressing OK and is probably getting to the stage where he’s looking for a club,” he said.

“I spoke to him when I was up at Jody Craddock’s testimonial dinner at Molineux about four weeks ago and I think in January he’ll certainly be looking for a club, and there’ll be clubs looking for him, and we’ll be one of them.”

Having played youth football with hometown club Cambridge United, Ebanks-Blake joined Manchester United’s academy at 15.

He made two senior appearances for the Red Devils, one start and one game from the bench, both in the League Cup, and spent time on loan in Belgium with Royal Antwerp while at Old Trafford.

In the summer of 2006 Plymouth paid an initial £200,000 for his services with the deal included clauses which totalled a further £100,000.

After scoring 23 goals in 56 starts and 18 sub appearances in 18 months with the Pilgrims, McCarthy took him to Wolves in January 2008.

In five years at Molineux the 5ft 8in tall striker netted 64 goals in 133 starts and 60 sub appearances, carrying off the Championship’s Golden Boot award in 2007/08 — 23 league goals - and 2008/09 when his 25 league goals helped Wolves win the title and promotion into the Premier League.

Last season, his 15 goals couldn't prevent his side dropping into League One with his injuries ending his season prior to the crucial last month of the campaign.

Photo: Action Images

Michael11 added 16:44 - Dec 18 Quality signing if he's fully fit. He's that sort of fox in the box that Chopra was MEANT to be. McGoldrick's a wonderful player and Murphy does his bit for the team but neither of them are a proper poacher. If we give Ebanks-Blake service, then he'll score goals. Everyone slating him probably didn't know he scored 15 goals in a season where his team were relegated and he had a nasty injury meaning he was out for a long time. He's still only 27 so should still have some good years ahead of him.

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MickMillsTash added 16:45 - Dec 18 Signing Ebanks Blake could be very good news- and not only because when fit he will score I think he has a bit of pace so we can stretch the game and make the opposition defence drop- they do not have to for Mcgoldrick and Murphy. This maybe will create a little space in midfield which just may in turn allow the midfield to be a bit more creative. Could he turn out to be the Marcus Stewart signing of 2000? or the David Healy signing of 2010?

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strikalite added 16:50 - Dec 18 Errr he hasn't signed yet, you know how easy it is for this to fall though....also, he's nowhere near match fit and there is no guarantee he can recapture his form any time soon... Just being a realist...though a bit of patience and he could be a big signing for us.
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jas0999 added 17:45 - Dec 18 A goal scorer. Great news if we can finalise the deal. Will add to our attacking options.
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Ipswich121 added 17:46 - Dec 18 Gerken Chambers Berra Smith Cresswell Taylor Skuse/Hyam Hunt Mcgoldrick Murphy SEB Maybe too attacking, dare we dream.... Or when we sell cresswell(which is inevitable, it's just a matter of time) Gerken Chambers Berra Smith Taylor Skuse Hyam Hunt Mcgoldrick Murphy SEB
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Robbie12345 added 18:02 - Dec 18 Srtikalite- remember Wolves have to get him fully fit before letting him go, 2-3 games to find his feet and he'll be smashing them in, hope it is finalised tonight, bring on saturday! Coyb
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Cloddyseedbed added 18:21 - Dec 18 smithy91. Over the years quite a few players have been signed that looked good on paper. Unfortunately football is played on grass and that's when they struggle. I like the sound of this but I am worried he will never be the same after an injury like he had, but I hope I'm wrong he's still at a good age. For whatever reasons I do not think Taylor will reach the heady heights we all hoped that he would. I hope he is out to prove me wrong.

2

blueboy1981 added 18:27 - Dec 18 ....... this undoubtedly would be an ideal signing, would increase competition up front and generally give everyone a lift. Great - if it comes off !
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blueboy1981 added 18:42 - Dec 18 ..... quite funny how some people get over excited - not even happened yet and he's already scoring goals for us !
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hossblue added 19:11 - Dec 18 Could we be having the good news before the bad i.e goodbye Cressie?
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bluemikey100 added 19:49 - Dec 18 scored his first hatrick against our local rivals and scored his only prem goal against them too so a legend lol
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 20:07 - Dec 18 Would be a great signing - seen him against Wolves last year and looked overweight. Get him fit and decent run in the team, he will be v important for end of season.
2

Pilgrimblue added 21:00 - Dec 18 This si a great signing. A proven poacher that may earn us some penalties and more points! I agree that Stearman would be a welcome addition but if he's not available then I'd give Hewitt his chance again and move Chambers into a holding midfielder as I feel that he's so important to the team. I'm not keen on Scuse as I think his tackling is poor and he doesn't protect the defence as well as he should. Hyam is the future and despite his youthful mistakes he's still the best at breaking up attacks. Not sure about Tunnicliff, maybe there's better loan options out there. As for attackers, Nouble got long way to go before he makes me happy. Murphy is still best to hold up and Taylor will i hope make the right side his own at Edwards/Anderson expense

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rexron added 21:32 - Dec 18 Sign him up. Its a no brainer.
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blueboy1981 added 21:33 - Dec 18 ...... truth certainly gets the minus button clickers on the ball.
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blue_moon09 added 21:52 - Dec 18 If SEB signs that's another very good championship player signed for nothing. MM is building a very good squad, pity the crowds a falling - you part time fans don't know what your missing...
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muccletonjoe added 22:01 - Dec 18 Suddenly ebanks blake is straight in the team and everything is wonderfull , christmas is just around the corner - be careful what you wish for
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blue added 22:43 - Dec 18 MM WE TRUST, WOULDNT APPROACH S.E.B IF HE DIDNT THINK HE WAS UPTO SCRATCH.BUILDING IS THE NAME OF THE GAME AND ESPECIALLY WE UP THERE IN THE MIX UP TO NOW. FEW GAMES UNDER HIS BELT AND THEN HOPEFULLY FIREING ON ALL CYLINDERS, WE HOPE. HE WILL AND NEED TO PROVE HIMSELF OTHERWISE HE BITES THE BULLET.. . 1ST HURDLE ON A FREE . SECOND HURDLE GET HIM FIT . .THIRD HURDLE KICK ASS AND KNOCK THE S--- OUT OF THOSE CANARIES NEXT YEAR.. .FOURTHLY WE GOING UP WE ALL WAVING THE BIRDS PASSING BY !!!

3

itfchorry added 23:07 - Dec 18 Good Team Dan
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tractorboy12341234 added 23:31 - Dec 18 Great News! McGoldrick in great form, Nouble making great progress, Murphy consistent as usual, Marriott banging in the goals at Woking, and now the SEB the tank is joining not to mention Taylor and Lee.
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itfchorry added 00:00 - Dec 19 Gerkin Chambers Cresswell Berra Smith Taylor Skuse Hyam Hunt Lee. Mcgoldrick
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smithy91 added 00:56 - Dec 19 Cloddyseedbed Hence i said on paper a good signing- being town fans i think we all know how certain big names have turned out for us, but im hopeful with Mick we will get the best out of SEB
2

IvorFeeling added 07:58 - Dec 19 First off - If this is pulled off it is great news and shows the intent that I believe we now have as a club. Since Mick's arrival that whole atmosphere as changed and many on here as well as the players and staff have said as much. We will need to give him time - can't see him being match fit, and I mean proper Championship match fit until at least Feb. Before you scoff just look at Taylors up and down rehab for his foot injury. Anyway, proven goal scorer and just the type of player to make a difference getting to and in the playoffs.

4

Lennyboy added 10:14 - Dec 19 I really hope this deal is done, have a look at this goal shown on youtube below: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ4sB-PHlgk
1

Stewart27 added 12:37 - Dec 19 Ipswich 121 Three defenders. Two wingers/strikers with no defensive capabilities. Three strikers. It would be bloody interesting!!!!!
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