TWTD understands that Stoke City’s former England man Matthew Upson is one of Blues manager Paul Jewell’s top central defensive loan targets. The Town boss is looking to add two centre-halves to his squad, ideally on loan with a view to permanent deals in January, once the emergency window opens at the weekend.
Suffolk boy Upson, 33, was born in Hartismere in Eye and played youth football alongside ex-Blues Richard Wright and Kieron Dyer with Whitton Sports.
The 6ft 1in tall defender, whose father Dickie is chairman of Thurlow Nunn League side Diss Town, was with the Blues' Centre of Excellence as a schoolboy but followed former Town youth coach Terry Westley to Luton and signed a pro deal in 1996.
Having made just one league sub appearance for the Hatters, he was sold to Arsenal in May 1997 for £2 million.
After six years at Arsenal, during which time he was unable to win a regular place and was sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Reading, Upson moved on to Birmingham for a fee which could ultimately have risen to £3 million after clauses.
In January 2007 he was sold to West Ham for £6 million, leaving the Hammers after his contract expired following their 2010/11 relegation.
Blues boss Paul Jewell revealed that he had tried to recruit Upson following his Upton Park exit but instead he joined his current club Stoke, signing a two-year contract.
Capped 21 times by England including appearances at the 2010 World Cup, scoring two goals, Upson made 20 starts and four sub appearances last season, scoring one goal. His only involvement so far during this campaign was in the 4-3 Capital One Cup exit to Swindon Town.
As TWTD revealed yesterday, Town are currently running the rule over Southend's Bilel Mohsni, primarily a centre-half, while manager Jewell was at the U21 game between Arsenal and Everton last night with Gunners youngster Ignasi Miquel likely to have been the reason for his visit.