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

ronnyd added 23:42 - Jan 10 calvin, is the name you,re after Godolphin?
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KiwiBlue2 added 02:01 - Jan 11 Interested to see a few comments about Steven Taylor. He is currently playing for the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League. He has played every game and looked very good. The only injury so far has been an off-field one involving a couple of women but on the field its been great to watch him.
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Vanisleblue2 added 02:31 - Jan 11 Bialkowski, Chambers, Elder, Skuse, Collins, Pennington, Huws, Nolan, Dawkins, Keane, Quaner, Edwards Sears, Gerken, Kenlock, Nisala, Jackson, Lankester, Cotter
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JoHnNnY added 06:21 - Jan 11 Talk to anybody thats seen him play regular, one thing Collins does is organises the back line, and is verbally communicating all through the game to keep them tight and solid. This is what we have been lacking, and what Chambers actually hasn't been doing during games thus far.... excellent signing.
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woohoo added 09:44 - Jan 11 "..the loan market isn't something I really want to do" Right words from the right man for the job - and a bloody hard job it is too.
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itfctim added 09:57 - Jan 11 Exactly what we need at the back, and as PL said, just his presence on the training field and in the dressing room is invaluable. An obvious must win game on Sat, as the new player influx bounce is an absolute must if we are to finish the remaining games with new found optimism. COYB!!
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SchancheITFC added 10:22 - Jan 11 Owwwwww Big Ginger Monster
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