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Ex-Walsall Defender Guthrie Training With Blues - Ipswich Town News

TWTD understands former Walsall central defender Jon Guthrie trained with the Blues at Playford Road today.

Guthrie, 26, left the Saddlers at the end of last season following their relegation to League Two after two years at the Bescot Stadium.

Prior to that the Devizes-born centre-half started his professional career with Crewe Alexandra having previously been with non-league Pewsey Vale. While with the Alex he spent time on loan with Leek Town.

Guthrie (pictured above, centre, red shirt) recently spent time on trial with Oxford United as he looks to find a new club.

The 6ft 3in tall centre-half could be involved for the Blues in tomorrow night’s friendly at Notts County.

Town are in the market for another senior centre-half with skipper Luke Chambers and Toto Nsiala the only experienced out-and-out central defenders at the club, ahead of youngsters Luke Woolfenden and Corrie Ndaba, and the likes of Cole Skuse, Janoi Donacien and Myles Kenlock who play that role in addition to their primary positions.

Chambers will miss the opening game against Burton due to suspension, while Nsiala suffered a hamstring injury at the Interwetten Cup, which has ruled him out for six weeks.

Former Lincoln City man James Wilson similarly joined in with training last week and came on as a sub in the 5-0 win at Colchester on Friday evening.

Speaking about Wilson after the victory over the U’s, manager Paul Lambert said: "There’s not really any news on James. He’s not done anything the whole pre-season and we asked if we could have a look at him.

"He’s trained a little bit and he did really well when he came on but he’s miles short of match fitness, as he will admit himself.

"He’s really comfortable with the ball and he has been a good player. It’s just about his game time and training time, which is way down.

"But centre-half is an area we must look at. We need experience but the problem with James is that he hasn’t trained.”

Elsewhere, former Bury defender Adam Thompson, who was linked with Town last week, is training with Bolton with a view to joining the Trotters.

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