TWTD has learnt that the player Paul Jewell is close to making his fourth signing of the summer is not a striker. While the Blues have held talks with former England international Emile Heskey, he's not the man Jewell was referring to when he said he was hoping to add to his squad in the next few days.

Speaking after last night’s 1-1 draw at Den Bosch, Jewell revealed that another signing was close to being done but wouldn’t confirm where the mystery man played: “We’re hopeful of getting certainly one in pretty quickly.”

Chief executive Simon Clegg similarly said he expected another deal soon at the press conference where new keeper Scott Loach was officially paraded yesterday afternoon: “One deal is moving from tepid to fairly warm. I’m hopeful that over the next couple of days we can make another announcement.”

We understand that that player — who could be confirmed as a Town signing early next week - isn’t Heskey or any other striker with Jewell also looking to add to central midfield in addition to his attack.

Speaking after yesterday’s game, the Town boss said: “We’re going to need a big centre forward, someone who is going to give us a bit of physicality up front, and then the same in the middle of the park.

“We’re at least two players light to just give us that bit of presence and that’s where we’re looking to strengthen.”

Talks with Heskey are understood to be at a relatively early stage.

Photo: Action Images

irishtim added 17:09 - Jul 20 Reckon its Titus.
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Blue_Poison added 17:09 - Jul 20 Please tell me that the Heskey talk is a very late April fools!
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Strikes added 17:21 - Jul 20 Someone at work said that "Heskey could still do a job at Portman Road" As long as that job didn't involve playing football, I'd have to agree with him.
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jlcollins added 17:21 - Jul 20 I hope the heskey deal does go thro, people on here r comparing him 2 ellington, omg r u mad, heskey would be a great addition 2 the squad, unlike ellington, wot a waste of money!!!!!!!!!! Heskey is 1 of the best at holding up the ball. Chops might just get the 25 goals he's dreaming of wiv him in the squad!!!!!!! COYB!!!!!!
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Jimmys_Law added 17:25 - Jul 20 How about bringing Darren O'Dea back? Granted he wasn't brilliant but he could provide competition for Smith and Chambers. Also he's a good age (25), can play at left-back and best of all, he's a free agent. Any thoughts?
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ChrisMakin2012 added 17:33 - Jul 20 O'dea 100% yes. Heskey 100% no (unless his job is the chief executive)
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Keaneish added 17:46 - Jul 20 I can't believe opinions are so divided on Heskey! If he comes on cheap wages this is a great one season deal while we look for other candidates. You don't pull on an England shirt, score a goal in a 5-1 win in Germany and become rubbish! Hold up play, work rate, presecence are second to none. Is he better than Scotland? For me, yes!
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oldbri added 17:48 - Jul 20 bill withers,I heard it on the grapevine.
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Pato88 added 18:21 - Jul 20 Paul Scharner?
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Lukeybluey added 19:24 - Jul 20 Paul Scharner! I'd hope that is true!
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Talbs77 added 19:50 - Jul 20 God I'm surprised bloody Mother Theresa hasnt been linked as everybody has on here!! And as for Heskey, theres a reason why people are againbst him signing, because he's rubbish. He was rubbish at 25 so I can see no reason why he will be any better at 35 or whatever age he is. If in doubt go and have a chat with Liverpool and Villa fans and in fact chuck in Birmingham. In short, he's crap.

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Northern_Branch added 19:50 - Jul 20 Scott Robertson!
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WorcesterBlue added 19:57 - Jul 20 Hopefully not Robinson - not good enough. You don't have to be crap at passing to be a tough tackling central midfielder! Scharner however would be a good shout imo - getting on but a born leader.
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Talbs77 added 20:02 - Jul 20 Yeah I like scarner as well, he scores a few as well.
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raycrawfordswig added 20:07 - Jul 20 Douglas Bader heard he's good in the air
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TimmyH added 20:08 - Jul 20 Very sceptical about ex Premiership players coming here (certainly if last season that's where they were plying their trade) - a player like Scharner (although I can see the appeal) I believe would become pretty lazy although he probably would crop up with the odd goal. Hopefully this is Kello.
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andygizmo added 20:21 - Jul 20 gerrard ........ Anthony that is.
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Super_Cooper added 20:53 - Jul 20 tractordamage - lol oldbri - Marvin Gaye? raycrawfordswig - LOL How about Pirlo??? Good at pens.
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Ipswichbusiness added 20:53 - Jul 20 In order for Mr Jewell to have a good transfer season, the basic minimum was for him to sign a decent centre-back and a quality 'keeper. He seems to have achieved both (albeit I would have preferred a more experienced 'keeper). My preference would be for him to sign Murphy and get Martin committed to a longer deal. Then we could go out and sign someone like Heskey; I recall Martin O'Neill saying that he kept him in a job at Leicester!

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Dog added 21:02 - Jul 20 Definitely not O'Dea - he has a drink problem - seen it first hand. I would take George Boyd, L Freeman and K Ferdinand. Would not want to see Heskey down here. Owen will not come either as he will not drop down (although half of the clowns on here think we are in the Premiership with the ability to sign anyone).
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itfcwinnie added 21:06 - Jul 20 should get back Owen Garvan! that lad was a beast!
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manualthetisfanclub added 22:04 - Jul 20 I hear vermund brekke - skard and chris bart-Williams are in the frame to come back!!!!!!! For the love of god not Heskey,always been rubbish now 34 and still rubbish!!!
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Tractastic added 23:03 - Jul 20 Heskey in the championship for ITFC.Yes please. One year deal perfect. He ain't gonna score many but Chopra could easily score 25 plus with him in the side.
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ChrisMakin2012 added 23:07 - Jul 20 How the hell can Heskey help chops to score!? The man is useless look at his success rate at the last three clubs he's been at! Is there any wonder he's having to drop down leagues?
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Tractastic added 23:18 - Jul 20 IMO Heskey has the proven ability to hold the ball up and has the physical presence upfront which is something we(ITFC) have been lacking for years? Of course as players get older they will drop down league's ,but just look at Jason Roberts impact at Reading and he didn't play for England or any top premiership club?
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