TWTD understands that former Reading and Stoke defender Ibrahima Sonko has joined the Blues on trial and is set to feature for the reserves in this afternoon’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Colchester United. The 30-year-old has repeatedly tweeted about a potential move to Town with manager Paul Jewell having confirmed that he has spoken to the Senegalese international’s agent.

Born in Bignona, Senegal but having moved to France as a baby, Sonko began his career with Town’s old UEFA Cup foes St Etienne, moving on to Grenoble, where he made his first senior appearances, in 1999.

Three years later, he joined Brentford, the 6ft 3in tall defender spending two seasons at Griffin Park before joining Reading on a Bosman in 2004.

Capped four times by Senegal, scoring one goal, Sonko became a cult hero at the Madejski Stadium and acquired the nickname ‘Superman’ for his exceptional leaping ability as he helped Steve Coppell’s side into the Premier League.

Stoke paid an initial £2 million for his services in August 2008 but his time at the Britannia Stadium was less successful. Loans at Hull City and Portsmouth followed, before he was released at the end of last season.

Sonko rejoined Reading on trial this summer and played in a number of pre-season games but talks broke down, with his old club only willing to offer a deal which equated to a 90% pay cut with the player only willing to take a drop of 75%.

Town are desperately in need of central defenders with Blues manager Jewell revealing earlier today that an offer has been made to a Premier League club for another centre-half, who may or may not be Aston Villa's Shane Lowry, who was linked overnight.

Photo: Action Images

nitroblue1970 added 13:20 - Aug 23 ...i hope this is progress? with another on the way before saturday!
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nitroblue1970 added 13:22 - Aug 23 ...i hope this is progress? with another on the way before saturday!
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casanovacrow added 13:22 - Aug 23 how much is 75% of his wages I wonder?
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Bleedingblue added 13:22 - Aug 23 Hopefully fit after pre season with Reading. Right footed and has experience. PLEASE GOD!
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Bleedingblue added 13:23 - Aug 23 Hopefully fit after pre season with Reading. Right footed and has experience. PLEASE GOD!
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Marshalls_Mullet added 13:23 - Aug 23 ONE Year deal please.
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Bleedingblue added 13:24 - Aug 23 Hopefully fit after pre season with Reading. Right footed and has experience. PLEASE GOD!
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pazelle added 13:24 - Aug 23 SUPERB! Priskin and Sonko are gonna destroy Col U
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KembleBlue added 13:26 - Aug 23 anyone else get the feeling this is another Drissa Diallo, or George Santos all over again?! (and yes I realise Liz Edwards knows who I am and is watching me closely) These big, solid defenders always seem to be brilliant against us, then complete cack when they join us..
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Basil_Smallpiece added 13:26 - Aug 23 Phew! For a minute there, I thought the club was in deep excrement. This (possible) signing solves everything. Phew!
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Bleedingblue added 13:26 - Aug 23 Thought if I repeated it three times it was more likely to happen. As said above, hopefully another one by Saturday.
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Lightningboy added 13:29 - Aug 23 Get him in..cannot be any worse than what we're lunbered with...surely?
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Help added 13:32 - Aug 23 cas £5k. Understand he was on £20k
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optimus_ryan21 added 13:34 - Aug 23 Solid, experienced and is someone I have always rated quite highly....30 is a good age for CB, may be the more experienced head we need to keep Delaney from crumbling again. Hopefully a step in the right direction, COYB.
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taylor15 added 13:42 - Aug 23 bit of a donkey at hull last season, and did quite a few error, but he can't be anywhere near as bad as what we've got!, he's strong and plays it simple, so i'd be happy with him! but who pairs with him on saturday, leeds.. have got to watch max gradel, he's actually pure class!
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michaeldownunder added 13:44 - Aug 23 Looks like the type of player we need, Delaney was not a bad player when Mac played along side him and told him what to do. What about Dennis Waterman for C/Back all ways seems to be in the right place for Minder and New tricks and a BIG plus he can also sing the theme tune ?
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Matteo_Sereni added 13:45 - Aug 23 has to be better than what we have!! get the man on board.....at least it appears he wants to play for the club!!
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Harry_Palmer added 13:47 - Aug 23 Chicken Salad! * Sonko doesn't eat them - def info *
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mattyc added 13:47 - Aug 23 well sonko is gd on fifa 11
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makaloon added 13:50 - Aug 23 Better than McAuley so a step in the right direction. Worth a punt I'd say.
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EatonBlue added 13:52 - Aug 23 How does one get into a 'behind closed doors' game?
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Surco72 added 14:08 - Aug 23 Good solid defender for this league ,definately more relaible than Mr Smith or Mr Ainsley at this stage of their careers
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PSGBlue added 14:11 - Aug 23 This is scrapping the barrel! The player himself cannot think he is much good if he was willing to take a 75% pay cut. We are hardly fighting off other clubs for his services. Poor loan spells at both Hull and Portsmouth hardly inspire any confidence. Just shows how low we have sunk if this is all we can attract! But look on the bright side, he cannot be as bad as Mark Fish was!

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TractorMan added 14:16 - Aug 23 Reading weren't big payers, so a 90% drop would have been quite large. I'm guessing, but i'm sure we could get him for 5 - 7k a week?
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Dorsetblue added 14:25 - Aug 23 if we want him, just keep him away from Clegg.
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