x

Middlesbrough Defender Linked - Ipswich Town News

Town and Bristol City are reported to be amongst a number of clubs eyeing Middlesbrough centre-half Stephen McManus. The 29-year-old turned down a loan move to the Blues in the summer of 2009 when a Celtic player.

McManus is currently out of the Middlesbrough first team — his last game was on December 3rd — with ex-Blues loanee Matthew Bates and Rhys Williams ahead of him in the pecking order.

Boro boss Tony Mowbray is keen to add to his squad during January but also expects players to move on: "We need to create some space in the budget to move things around. I have no problem with the people that are not impacting on the first XI moving on.”

Lanark-born McManus came through the youth ranks at Celtic, making his senior debut in the 2003/04 season.

He made 204 starts and three sub appearances for the Bhoys, scoring 20 goals, and captained the side before joining Boro initially on loan in January 2010, signing on permanently the following summer for £1.5 million.

He has made 56 starts and four sub appearances for the Teessiders, scoring twice. With Scotland, 6ft 2in tall McManus has won 26 caps, scoring two goals.

Town are very much in the market for a centre-half with a deal for Leicester’s Sean St Ledger having been put on hold last week.

Photo: Action Images

What to read next:

Hutchinson Assists as England U21s Progress Despite Defeat
Blues forward Omari Hutchinson won his seventh cap as England’s U21s made it through to the knockout stages of the European Championship, despite being beaten 2-1 by Germany in their final group game in Slovakia.
Youngster Nicolaou Signs First Pro Deal
Academy youngster Shakil Nicolaou has signed his first professional deal.
Hutchinson's England U21s Face Germany
Blues forward Omari Hutchinson and his England U21s teammates will be looking to secure qualification to the knockout stage of the European Championship when they face Germany in Nitra, Slovakia this evening (KO 8pm, Channel 4).
Town to Face Auxerre in Pre-Season
Town will travel to face French Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre at Stade Abbé-Deschamps in a friendly on Saturday 2nd August (KO 6pm local time, 5pm UK).
Trabzonspor President Confirms Tuanzebe Interest
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has confirmed his club is interested in signing free agent Blues defender Axel Tuanzebe.
Blue Action Asking For Donations For Derby Tifo
Town independent supporters group Blue Action have set up a GoFundMe page to raise cash for a tifo to be displayed at the home derby with Norwich City in the new season.
Last Day to Complete TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25
Today is the final day in which to fill in the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season
Town at Aberdeen in Pre-Season
Town will travel to Scotland to face Aberdeen in a pre-season friendly at Pittodrie on Friday 25th July (KO 7.30pm).
Armstrong New Gateshead Boss
Former Blues striker Alun Armstrong has been appointed the new manager of his hometown club, National League Gateshead.
Town Programme For Visit to Port Vale Sells For Almost £3,000
A programme from the Blues’ visit to Port Vale in the 1946/47 season has become the most expensive involving the club to be sold at auction.