Wigan Athletic striker Jason Scotland is tipped to be the player boss Roy Keane said he was “unbelievably close” to signing yesterday. The 31-year-old former Swansea frontman appears likely to leave the DW Stadium during the close season as part of a clear-out by boss Roberto Martinez.

Rumours regarding the Trinidad and Tobago international appeared on the TWTD Message Board last night and have persisted this morning with claims of an initial loan deal to give the clubs time to settle the terms of a two-year permanent switch. The story has subsequently been picked up by national newspapers with a fee of £750,000 claimed, while there are reports elsewhere that the player is weighing up the switch.

Scotland started his career his career in his home country with San Juan Jabloteh and Defence Force, who Carlos Edwards was also with earlier in his career.

In 2003 he joined Dundee United after a trial, moving on to St Johnstone two years later and then Swansea City for a fee of £25,000 in 2007.

Scotland enjoyed a hugely successful spell with the Swans, netting 29 goals in all competitions during their 2007/08 League One promotion campaign and 24 in the Welsh side’s first year back in the Championship.

Last summer the 5ft 8in tall striker moved on to Wigan for £2 million but the switch hasn’t been a success, the Trinidadian netting only one league goal last season.

Nicknamed Rocket, Scotland has won 41 full international caps and has scored eight goals, playing alongside Town midfielder Carlos Edwards and former Blues loanee Stern John.

Yesterday, boss Roy Keane said he was very near to adding a striker to his squad and hinted that that player might not be Cardiff’s Michael Chopra, the man understood to be his number one target.

The Blues boss also said that he had a number of forward players in his thoughts: “There are two or three players I’ve got in mind in terms of attacking positions that we need. The deals we’re looking at would be permanent because we need some permanent players who we know will be at the club for two or three years to help bring it forward.”

Photo: Action Images

StowTractorBoy added 12:22 - Aug 6 I have never realistically believed we would get Chopra, for one the Cardiff fans would rebel and his wage demands would go beyond our salary structure. Scotland is worth a punt particularly on loan and if it does not work out then send him back. There does not seem to be any pleasing some people on here and to compare him to Lisbie is a grave insult to the man. Give me Scotland any day and it gives us a big man small man partnership uo front. Go for it I say.

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elalaer9 added 12:23 - Aug 6 This is nothing but positive news....the people saying no to this need to understand how football works. Scotland proved himself as a quality player at Championship level (enough to get signed by a premiership club) but has since been pushed aside by some class acts in the wigan forward line. He is a player who has a point to prove again and would be a great addition to any championship side.

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arc added 12:25 - Aug 6 Good signing, especially on loan. But a permanent signing had better be very cheap--he's 31 after all, and Wigan have no use for him. If not free, close to free, as we'll have to pay large wages for our level.
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GinjaBumBum added 12:25 - Aug 6 This player has an unbelieveably good goalscoring record for teams in the lower division so i think he will do well at Town if he completes the deal. He will be a good striker for us as he is a pacey player with a good eye for goal. I personally would love to see him at Town, i hope others agree with me.
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cartface07 added 12:28 - Aug 6 i think it would be a solid signing if it were cheap, but although he scored 80 goals in 160 games at one point i think he is past that times. Last seasontly he barely touched the net for wigan
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dobbie73 added 12:31 - Aug 6 For those that are worried about Scotland's age .... he's about the same age as Didier Drogba .... and HE still plays at an international level! Sheringham played until 40+ ....
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GoodLuckSmallpiece added 12:33 - Aug 6 Morning GITS (copyright G Smallpiece San Salvador).Dad's Army. We have Godfrey (Kennedy) and Walker (Edwards), Pike (Wickham) and now Fraser. Mainwaring (the General) and Wilson (Keano) are already in place. Just Jonesy to find and then let's all await the hilarity! First episode of the comedy Saturday at three. FORK! POMS! COYB!
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zippyrainbow added 12:33 - Aug 6 He was highly rated when last playing in the championship but once in the Premier League, he flopped just like a certain Michael Chopra. Might do a job for us this year though.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 12:38 - Aug 6 signing him 'on loan' would only be so he could play 'now' and then sort out the paperwork for the permanent move next week
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SiBo added 12:39 - Aug 6 Dobbie73: Hit the nail on the head... whop would say "No we don't want Drogba at Ipswich as he's too old! 31 is prime time for most players... OK you are talking about 2/3 years and then I'd agree its getting on a little, but what's wrong with signing a player ofr 2/3 years? A quality forward who in my opinion would have a better effect on ITFC than Chopra would... Sign him now... (Even on a season long loan!)

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sonian_blue added 12:43 - Aug 6 This is brilliant news, give me Scotland over Chopra every day. He scored consistently in a relatively low scoring Swansea team at this level and as pointed out earlier he ripped us apart at the Liberty two seasons ago. We were on a good run then too. Chopra is very inconsistenet and people are believing their own hype about him. He has long barren runs and take out the game versus Derby last year (i believe he got all 6) and his record is not that impressive. Not worth breaking the bank for. Get Scotland in for tomorrow Keano and he will stick it to the jocks up north. COYB Boys!!!!!!!!!!

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MAVERICK added 12:46 - Aug 6 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1300845/Roy-Keane-desperate-si
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sonian_blue added 12:46 - Aug 6 Headline Sunday 'Scotland batters Jocks'
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Skip73 added 12:47 - Aug 6 joeippy...Pillock
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Fatboy added 12:53 - Aug 6 I thought we might be in for Scotland last Summer when Swansea failed to gain promotion and then lost their manager. Averaged a goal every 2 games at this level and when playing for St Johnstone, so could bring some much-needed goals to the team.
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dreblue added 12:55 - Aug 6 Somone might have already mentioned this but sure JAY SIMPSON for £1.2 Million IS A BARGAIN!!! WHY HAVE WE NOT TRIED TO GET HIM!? (or maybe we have) Surely he is EXACTLY what we need up top with Chopra or even Scotland!!
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Fatboy added 12:55 - Aug 6 PS Great headline!
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MJallday added 12:56 - Aug 6 Daily Mail - Keane's transfer kitty is being provided by the imminent sale of Ipswich skipper Jon Walters to Stoke. eh? i thought we actually had some cash. mind you this is the daily mail we're talking about
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Youth added 12:59 - Aug 6 scotland great signing if comes off!
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Markie31 added 12:59 - Aug 6 Worth a punt. Not adapted to life in the Premiership but has an decent record in the championship. I just fear that he's a striker who's currently low on confidence not unlike Priskin.
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nitroblue1970 added 13:06 - Aug 6 Ive had a quick look at Scotlands and Chopras Championship scoring records and it looks like Scotland has out scored chopra!....yes i know its in the past but isnt that the basis of all transfers?....sign Scotland, hes cheap and if it doesnt work its not so much of a problem....sign Chopra and he flops....were left with a 4 million pound hole in our finances and who would buy a striker off us whos not scoring goals?...no-one...which is why we still have Pablo, Priskin and Stead!

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Skip73 added 13:10 - Aug 6 Don't worry MJallday. It IS The Mail so a load of Bollocks. Anyway I think that Scotland would be a good signing. Better than what we have at the moment. Still think we need another striker as well though but this will do for starters. (Can't believe that this could be 'starters' 1 day before the season starts though).
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NITFC added 13:11 - Aug 6 For those that have commented "he's great at this level but can't do it in the Prem" who are you talking about? It applies to both Scotland and Chopra. I'd have either of them. In fact if Scotland is cheaper (albeit a bit older), let's have him. He's got a better attitude from what I've heard too
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WadzillaBhoy added 13:12 - Aug 6 I think this shows us that Edwards is going to feature more this season, they should be able to link up well as they are fellow countrymen.
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bleedblue added 13:21 - Aug 6 Idiots the lot of you. Great signing!
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