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

BartsGreatBeard added 14:26 - Aug 23 good strong player what we need at the back could form gd pairing with ingi if he gets fit, sign him, richard wright as cover to stockdale a younger injury free bullard type player and a rb and i believe we have something to build on
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StowTractorBoy added 14:32 - Aug 23 I rated Sonko when we played at Fratton Park last season but my Reading colleagues tell me he needs brains next to him and at the moment only Ingimarsson has those with what we have. Worth a punt if not too expensive on the wages front. I know he is physically super fit (saw him on SSNews recently) but doubt he is match fit.
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Infineteregress added 14:33 - Aug 23 May not be the best possible centre back signing out there but would people really rather see Delaney and Ainsley line up again on Saturday? Once Ingy's fit again might work well as a central defence partnership.
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tomisamos added 14:44 - Aug 23 Good move, buying defenders isn't as simple as picking and choosing and this is a player with fight, experiance and a cracking header! Of course we'd have liked better, he's not worldbeating or he wouldn't be a free agent. But I seem to remember the same people who are criticising this as a 'scraping the barrel' move criticised Jewell for 'aiming too highly' with some of the signings he tried to make in defence a month ago. Swings and roundabouts.

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1979blue added 14:49 - Aug 23 Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm not sure on this one however cant be any worse than the clowns we have at the minute.
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Ipswich24 added 15:04 - Aug 23 Good signing
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jbb added 15:05 - Aug 23 Would fit the bill, excellent for Reading. The worry is his dodgy knees. He and Inge would be a very good partnership. In view of injury concerns, would need another CB as well. The club are in a far worse bargaining position after Saturday, as everyone knows the club are now desperate for defenders. Ainsley might cover RB. A couple of such defenders and settling the Leadbitter/Bullard issue could suddenly transform the complexion of the team. Much as I rate Leadbitter, it has to be said a midfield of Andrews (holding), Bowyer and Bullard would be impressive at Champ level, discipline and age worries aside.

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muhrensleftfoot added 15:06 - Aug 23 Is he right footed? Can he head a ball? Can he kick a ball? If the answer to all three is yes, then better sign him on
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come_on_blues added 15:14 - Aug 23 Might not be a bad signing better than what we have got, give him a chance and get behind him.
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itfcjc added 15:51 - Aug 23 I hope it's true sonko is superman
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glm86 added 15:58 - Aug 23 Just sign him as long as he fit for saturday cos we got no one else at the back at mo n will b better than our so called defence we got now
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DiamondGezzer added 16:11 - Aug 23 muhrens left foot : - Long as he's got a pulse, sign him !
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thurstongarage added 16:14 - Aug 23 a stop gap i suppose but not one for the future so not really excited about this one
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richnblue added 16:15 - Aug 23 PJ, for gods sake don't take on this monkey. Seen how he use to dive for Reading, when he thought he was a Drogba. Buy players from lower diversions and build a team that we can collectively be proud of. A team that cannot wait to put a blue shirt on each week, that the supporters want to support and one that plays with great pride and style each week...just try it, it might bloody work...

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:25 - Aug 23 We haven't signed him yet, but this does all seem a bit desperate. It might work out or it might not, and we have little choice but to try. What worries me is what can the dressing room atmosphere be like at the moment? The defence have been left in no two minds that they are not up to it, and half of the midfield too. The incentive to perform is probably now minimal in some areas. Lee has been banished to the reserves (not saying I disagree, by the way; in fact, Lee has never convinced me). You'd have expected someone with PJ's character to be good at team spirit and team bonding, but with everyone sick of everyone else (?) you do wonder just who is still committed to the cause. That said, I'm still backing PJ to pull us out of this mess. I certainly hope he's done it by next spring: the annual ITFC Sweden tour for this season was voted on at the AGM in Stockholm last weekend, right before this debacle took place, and the two matches chosen were Peterboro (H) !!! and Burnley (H).

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brittaniaman added 16:36 - Aug 23 Why behind closed doors ?? are we not allowed to see the reserves this season. ????
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cooper4england added 16:40 - Aug 23 Wonder if the club have Tommy Smith on suicide watch
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muhrensleftfoot added 16:47 - Aug 23 The issue with the last 2 games is that it makes it more difficult to sign anyone. If there's any half decent centre backs on the market are they going to relish joining us on the back of 2-5 and 1-7 thrashings? Can you imagine saturday with only Delaney & Ainsley available now, how nervous and anxious all the players will be, not to mention the crowd. Leeds go one-nil up and the fans start getting on the players backs. My god, we're going to need some real men on the pitch saturday. problem is, have we got any?

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sonian_blue added 16:55 - Aug 23 He undoubtedly is better than we have. Does that make the expenditure justified and him good enough?
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jas0999 added 16:58 - Aug 23 Clearly not MATCH fit. Big risk this. Better than Smith but for me not the long term solution. Makes some terrible gaffs. We are paying the price for failing to address this in the Summer. Shame on PJ/Clegg.
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jonju11 added 17:00 - Aug 23 Has anyone noticed that Titus is keeping the bench warm @ Sunderland now he is fit again. What a way to liven up the morale @ the Club to hear & see his thundering tackles!!! Now that option really is worth a punt!!!
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muhrensleftfoot added 17:07 - Aug 23 The problem goes back to before the summer. It started when keane let david Wright go - a sound and steady right back or centre back. Then Alex Bruce left - OK not a world beater but better than we've got now, and to let McAuley's contract run out was criminal. PJ also made errors letting Brown and Eastman go. I'm sure better contract offers would have kept them here. Not sure about Eastman, but Troy Brown looked to have good potential. That's 5 right footed defenders gone in a little over 1 year, and just 1 new replacement - an injury prone 34 (or is it 35) year old. No wonder we're in the sh1te

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Seasider added 17:21 - Aug 23 Lets not get too excited guys,if he signs it will be Jewells 4th signing of players rejected by other clubs who are all in their 30's and not particularly fit(except Bowyer).Add to this 2 loans,and one player each from prem,championship and non-league who hadnt been rejected by their clubs. In actual transfer fees during past two years the invisible man has shelled out about £4,500,000 whilst receiving in region of £12m.Admittedly has shelled out in wages;but if we had brought through more of our own youngsters and not sold them salaries demanded would be considerably less. Have we really benefitted as supporters during Mr Evans reign,hmm,debatable?!

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ITFC4daprem added 18:18 - Aug 23 finally
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Warkys_Tash added 18:31 - Aug 23 No Panic Buys, please PJ!!
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