Town's signing of veteran central defender James Collins is expected to be completed on Friday with manager Paul Lambert having said the 35-year-old Welshman could go straight into the squad for Saturday’s crucial home game against Rotherham United.

News of the Blues’ interest in Collins, who was on trial at Playford Road in September under Paul Hurst before ultimately signing a short-term deal at his former club Aston Villa which he subsequently tore up without playing a game after picking up a calf injury, first broke last night.

“James would be a free, he’s training with us and even the guy’s physical presence in the place is great,” Lambert said about the ex-Wales international, who was released by West Ham last summer.

“We look a big side and I think we needed that physicality back in the side as well, plus [the new signings are] good players.

“James has come in and trained for the last few days, and has done really well. Has been training at West Ham for a long time. He knows the game, he’s experienced and he’s certainly strong enough to handle this.”

Could he be involved against the Millers? “I’ll see how he feels, he knows his own head and his own body. I’ll decide from there. First and foremost we have to sign him, that’s still taking place. We’ll see.

“They’re talking at the minute, I’m hopeful that something will be done by the end of the day.”

Collins would be Lambert’s fifth signing of the window but he confirmed he’s still looking for further additions.

“We’ll try and do something,” he added. “I can’t keep flooding the place with loan. I can’t have more any more than five in a matchday squad. That’s where the loan system falls down, and then you’ve got to manage them, which is a difficult thing itself, which is why the loan market isn’t something I really want to do.”

Photo: Action Images

GlebeTractor added 16:33 - Jan 10 Worth a punt init
2

carlo88 added 16:40 - Jan 10 Good signing but if we don't win Saturday we're down anyway.
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cat added 16:54 - Jan 10 Seriously hoping that this comes off as Collins will add some steel to our easily bullied and fragile defence. Got to say here I'm actually looking forward to the Rotherham game just to see just what the new additions can add to our pish poor team.
9

IpswichT62OldBoy added 17:09 - Jan 10 Not the Great Escape this is Ipswich so : ESCAPE TO VICTORY begins in Saturday, now we have seen what PL has in mind we have hope again.
3

Popeye added 17:09 - Jan 10 Steven Taylor would have been just as good but he was let go and now we are in the brown stuff.
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dubblue added 17:11 - Jan 10 Probably just what we need for the scrap we will be involved to try and avoid relegation - obviously not here for the long run. pity he did not sign earlier - how many soft goals might have been avoided?
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ringwoodblue added 17:15 - Jan 10 Might as well be Joan Collins for the help he will be! He'll get injured in the first match he plays and be keeping Tom Adeyemi company in the physios.
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TimmyH added 17:16 - Jan 10 Keep fit and he'll do a job alongside Pennington (has to replace Chambers). If we can get the deal done...
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howdonblue added 17:28 - Jan 10 #Ipswich have signed James Collins on a six-month deal. More on @SunSport @TheSunFootball ..... was training with #WestHam and #AstonVilla earlier this season — Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) January 10, 2019
3

Sourdough added 18:17 - Jan 10 Not been this excited since the beginning of August when all those signings were happening.
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Pecker added 18:42 - Jan 10 Now we are talking. That would be a proper signing. Go get him PL.
3

onemarcusstewart added 18:47 - Jan 10 Is Liviu Antal coming to Town ?
1

Pecker added 18:51 - Jan 10 Fantastic. Quality signing.
1

Saxonblue74 added 19:03 - Jan 10 Good signing. Level headed and experienced and could see Chambo back to some form with this calibre of support. What a difference a manager makes, he wouldn't come and play for PH! Mick had similar influence when it came to attracting players. Good call PL!
4

warktheline added 19:26 - Jan 10 Big strong and extremely experienced, straight into team for me, for the time being only, Chambers to fill in at right back!
4

GiveusaWave added 19:45 - Jan 10 Good player, but not alongside Pennington.
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nysully added 19:52 - Jan 10 I am all for signing James Collins, I just hope he didn't need another night to sleep on his decision if you know what I mean.
1

dirtydingusmagee added 20:14 - Jan 10 nobody should doubt Paul Lambert's commitment to Town , he is trying his hardest to get the club sorted out ,on and off the field. Hopefully Collins will get through the coming months without injury and provide some stability in the defence. We are not done yet COYB
2

calvin added 21:28 - Jan 10 Can someone help me please. What is the name of the horse racing family linked with buying itfc
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blueboy1981 added 21:33 - Jan 10 If you sign James Collins - a warm welcome to Portman Road. No doubt you will be anything but the right signing in the eyes of some, just ignore them - they don't belong at this end of the A140. Just what we need - I wish you well.
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blueboy1981 added 21:34 - Jan 10 ........ what we have to fear now - is the proverbial WIGAN coming in for him ... !!
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blueboy1981 added 21:53 - Jan 10 My Stepson is an avid West Ham Fan. His words :- 'Great move by ITFC. Collins would sacrifice a testicle to safe a corner - absolute warlord. Just what you need right now'.
2

Warkys_Tash added 21:59 - Jan 10 He could be the equivalent of what Mowbray did for Town when Burley signed him. I think he was 35 at the time? Organised and shored u a leaky defence back then. Timmy H - Chambers will not be dropped, it would be madness to drop our leader. Pennington will move to RB, that's his other position. Pennington by the way has been very good this season, just a few mistakes of late but excellent until then. Get Huws and Skuse back in, with two big strong strikers up front to help Freddie and all of a sudden we become a different side that can start to bully like we did before. Does anyone else love Lambert?! I certainly do.. His press conference was way more upbeat than a week ago.. back to his old self.

5

positivity added 22:24 - Jan 10 maybe a signing similar to taylor, playing little, but a good voice around the dressing room?
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TonyHumesIpswich added 22:36 - Jan 10 Clearly stating the obvious, but Dawkins and Collins were both fully fit with no existing contracts two months ago. So why didn't we sign them up then? Great move to sign Collins, just don't get why he couldn't have come in sooner. Was it something to do with his Villa contract? Pennington isn't a good player. He could be in the future, but his lack of physicality has been an issue all season.

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