Former Czech U21 international midfielder Jiří Bílek is spending the week on trial with Paul Jewell’s squad at Playford Road. Bílek, 27, currently plays for Kaiserslautern in Germany's Bundesliga.

Bílek, who is likely to have joined central defender Ibrahima Sonko and Richard Wright in the reserves side which drew 1-1 in a friendly with Colchester yesterday, was born in Prague and was a youth player with local side Sparta before moving on loan to Spolana Neratovice and then Chmel Blšany.

In 2006 the 6ft 1in tall defensive midfielder joined Town’s 2002 UEFA Cup foes Slovan Liberec on a permanent basis and then in January 2009 he signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Kaiserslautern.

After initially playing for their second string in the regional leagues, he broke through into their first team during their spell in the German second tier and was in the side which won the division in 2009/10. Bílek made 15 league appearances last season, Kaiserslautern's first back in the Bundesliga, but is now out of favour and surplus to requirements.

Capped at both U20 and U21 levels by his country, Bílek is also set to spend time with Birmingham City while in the UK.

Photo: Action Images

superaltown added 09:20 - Aug 24 ist gut, ja?
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Keaneish added 09:20 - Aug 24 Did you say 'defensive' Phil? Yep, that'll do. Sign him up...
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pazelle added 09:20 - Aug 24 Sign him up now!
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baldman added 09:25 - Aug 24 Let's hope he hasn't seen the videos of the last few games sounds like his what we need good luck on this one
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Infineteregress added 09:28 - Aug 24 I guess all those who suggested we have no European scouting network will have to scoff down their words along with a slice of humble pie ;-) In all seriousness, this potential signing makes a refreshing change. Don't know anything about this guy but he's young, defensive and has played in the German leagues so, on paper at least, sounds pretty promising. COYBs!

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Wallingford_Boy added 09:29 - Aug 24 Sign him, sign Wright, sign Sonko, SIGN ANYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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HKBlue added 09:29 - Aug 24 does he know how to get the ball off the opposition and not play the opposition for a chance on goal (i.e leadsh!tter) if so. sign him up! need some young talent!
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ipswich_is_the_best added 09:30 - Aug 24 Key word DEFENSIVE
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BartsGreatBeard added 09:39 - Aug 24 why has he got to spend time with city dont let it get to that jewell offer him a contract he cant refuse
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Sindre94 added 09:45 - Aug 24 good news.
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Pessimistic added 09:48 - Aug 24 Mmmm...sounds hopeful but nothing more at this stage.
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NorseBlue added 09:49 - Aug 24 According to Kaiserslautern's own website, he's a right-footed 6-foot defender. Can play DM as well.
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East_of_England added 09:51 - Aug 24 Sign him up! Don't make this another Faris Haroun who was first linked on the 19th of may, recently signed for Middlesbrough, no fee involved, impressive and scored in his debut. How we missed out on Haroun, I will never understand...
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Marshalls_Mullet added 09:55 - Aug 24 Sounds like Shumi No2!!
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Drew added 10:03 - Aug 24 He can't be worse than Leadbitter, surely?
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HarryfromBath added 10:04 - Aug 24 This is encouraging. Paul Jewell has obviously targetted a midfield partner for Andrews, and someone who will balance the team and protect the defence. It hopefully means that Leadbitter will take the signal to vastly improve his game or leave the club. He will hopefully be the right choice, but at least this demonstrates that the defensive midfield problem has been identified by the management. Right choices are preferable to quick choices, but we may have no option here with only a week to decide. Peterborough may have done us a dark favour. If this had happened in a month's time, we would have had one hand tied behind our back until January.

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WicklowBlue added 10:12 - Aug 24 @NorseBlue - He's got six right feet? Wow bargain! sign him up :)
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HighgateBlue added 10:24 - Aug 24 We've already signed a lot of midfielders, but anything that strengthens the squad has to be a good thing. CB and RB are the real priorities, but that goes without saying...
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Dissblue added 10:28 - Aug 24 Woss his name again? Jerry?
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mark1969 added 10:29 - Aug 24 Still all talk and seemingly no action , i know these things take time but we are 72 hours away from having to play almost the same team as last saturday . God please help us especially in defence . Yes Mr. Clegg we have gone to the last resort of using prayer mats !!
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bracknell_blue added 10:42 - Aug 24 Sounds good. At 6ft 1in he is also tall and we are badly lacking height in the team.
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ITFC4daprem added 10:56 - Aug 24 sounds good
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havinit69 added 11:04 - Aug 24 Hahaha! - Everyone saying sign him up, offer him a contract he cant refuse etc... I wonder how many of you have actually ever heard of him, let alone know how good he is/isn't! - If he was that good, he'd not on trials with clubs and he'd have been snapped up already. There is no point in us signing anyone just because they are defensive! - If they ain't better than what we have already then we are just increasing our wage budget for no reason. Take a look, if he ain't better than we have, move on... Next... !

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Blue_thro_n_thro added 11:05 - Aug 24 Adam le fondre has a £400,000 asking price still worth a punt i reckon
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ncharles added 11:08 - Aug 24 Could be an interesting development if he is good enough. Hope the club get a good look as the two Slovenian defenders, Marko Suler (CB) and Aljaž Struna (RB) as well, they both look very solid, skilful and full of running. Build from the back.
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