Town have been linked with a move for Newcastle midfielder Alan Smith. The 31-year-old former striker, who was recently mentioned in connection with a return to his hometown club Leeds, could be released by the Magpies in the next few days having made only two appearances this season.

A holding midfielder in the mould of ex-Manchester United and England man Smith has been on Paul Jewell’s wish list since the summer.

Jewell has previously said he’ll be targeting “young, hungry” players in January but the Blues boss could well be interested in someone of Smith’s pedigree, although his likely wage demands would appear to be challenging to any Championship club.

The 5ft 10in tall Yorkshireman could have his Newcastle contract cancelled by mutual consent due to his lack of involvement to allow him to find a new club in January, although manager Alan Pardew may choose to hang on to the 19-times capped England international until he has added to his squad.

Smith joined Newcastle from Manchester United in August 2007 for £6 million, having signed for the Red Devils for £7 million from Leeds in May 2004.

Meanwhile, former Blues boss Jim Magilton is reported to have been approached by Derry City regarding the managerial vacancy at the League of Ireland club.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

WicklowBlue added 00:47 - Jan 3 Keep the cash for defenders, too much like Bowyer don't see what Smith would add. Agreed his best role was striker and these days will either be injured or suspended for the majority of the season.
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bringbackthedutch added 00:48 - Jan 3 No,no,no,no,no,no,no,no! Is someone, somewhere just doing this to wind us up? Nothing against Alan Smith, but how will we ever get anywhere with people that peaked years ago and weren't that good in the first place. He's crocked. He doesn't score. What exactly would he do for us? Please let this period pass, it is madness!
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taylor15 added 00:51 - Jan 3 would SO much rather smith than bowyer. smith is actually a great player, and at this level i can see him doing a job. we're not going to be able to sign andrews, so smith can cover his place. but i can see why fans are getting annoyed at the fact we're becoming an 'old mans' club. come on PJ, lets get some hungry players in, from those lower leagues - preferably under 25?

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Nunn_the_Wiser added 01:08 - Jan 3 Would take Smith over any of our centre midfielders. Would add grit and determination in abundance, captain material. Cannot believe the reaction to this, he was superb for Newcastle in their promotion season.
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WicklowBlue added 01:11 - Jan 3 I was thinking the same of Bullard and Bowyer when they signed.... Don't think Smith will add anything still maintain he'll lose the head and be suspended a lot. On the plus side he could lose the head and smack one or two of our players into shape :) Who's the money on Smith or Bowyer? :)
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EdgeoftheBox added 01:57 - Jan 3 What a con trick Roy Keane, and now Paul Jewell have pulled on Clegg and Evans. In three catastrophic years ITFC has been been turned into a gravy train for joy riding wannabe managers, chancers who think there is no self-damage in splashing someone else's cash and gambling on high salary, veteran players for a chance at big time glory. Utterly short-sighted and self-serving. Our owners have to face it now, they have been led up the garden path twice. Another sequel to this sorry saga could be devastating. We must target young managers with genuine passion and drive to succeed for those around them, not only themselves, who DESERVE to be and belong in the Premier League, in the mould of Paul Lambert (who Clegg stunningly failed to recruit, despite him being under his nose), Brendan Rogers or Roberto Martinez. Dare I say it, but with Clegg at the helm, we are going to end up with Neil Warnock next. Lee Clark has the geordie connection the club has thrived on in the past, Gus Poyet would be a fantastic character in the Premier League, or how about Nigel Clough? Someone to represent ITFC and its meaning to so many people. I'm sick of this current situation, and seeing it go on is nauseating.

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bluelady added 02:05 - Jan 3 Thats more like it PJ a young hungry player, injury free with lots of goals in him.....
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Hungry_Badger added 02:09 - Jan 3 If we sign him I will not go to another Ipswich game until Jewell is sacked.
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ITFCSparklepants added 02:24 - Jan 3 why not hire me manager? I'm young, hungry, cheap (free) and i scout players all the time on FIFA so I know the lower leagues like the back of my hand :D I can play right back aswell which could (would) come in handy.
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Garv added 03:11 - Jan 3 We don't know if this is true whatsoever. Let's hope not. It would contradict everything Jewell has said regarding transfers.
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TractorBoy666 added 03:14 - Jan 3 LOL Sparklepants!
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Woodbridgian added 06:23 - Jan 3 Can't be true not even Jewell could be that stupid, but on second thoughts .....
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Marcus added 07:18 - Jan 3 Less of the old please. Some of us are over 35!
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ipswichm8 added 07:44 - Jan 3 old injury prone
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brogansnose added 07:45 - Jan 3 Lazy paper talk. If he goes anywhere it will be to Leeds although I was living in Leeds when he went to Man U and he was widely detested for that. I remember a pub in Roundhay with ' Die Smith Judas Scum' sprayed on the toilet wall and this was quite typical. He never did amount to much anyway. all promise and little else.
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TimmyH added 07:45 - Jan 3 this is becoming funny now...
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cornishnick added 08:14 - Jan 3 I trust this is just lazy tabloid speculation. PJ is clueless, we've all come to realise that, but surely not this stupid.
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airliner added 08:17 - Jan 3 This really must be a complete wind up -No,no, no what planet is this manager on?????No more journeymen please!!!!!!
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blrmy added 08:22 - Jan 3 Do people on here believe everything?? Strewth. Paper talk, ignore.
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walberswick added 08:36 - Jan 3 Please can we linked with two centre halfs and a right back. All fit, playing for their current club and under 28 years old.
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stoofer added 08:37 - Jan 3 itfc new sponsers-SAGA
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MickMillsTash added 08:39 - Jan 3 Given the need for a centre back since last Jan when McCauley did not resign, I would expect that a target has been identified and negotiations pretty much completed. Conceding 3 goals a game means relegation
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blueherts added 08:54 - Jan 3 Young , hungry with two feet and can play anywhere across the Back 4 , just the type of player we need...oeeer hang on a minute - Maybe PJ is looking at the ex Arsenal striker Alan Smith - he can only be mid forties now - JOKE
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DiamondGezzer added 09:18 - Jan 3 Walberswick :- Have to agree. May I just add = That aren't attending a clinic or have shares in a bookies ?
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icandriveatractor added 09:30 - Jan 3 IT might be cyril smith? lol
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