TWTD understands that Stoke City’s former England man Matthew Upson is one of Blues manager Paul Jewell’s top central defensive loan targets. The Town boss is looking to add two centre-halves to his squad, ideally on loan with a view to permanent deals in January, once the emergency window opens at the weekend.

Suffolk boy Upson, 33, was born in Hartismere in Eye and played youth football alongside ex-Blues Richard Wright and Kieron Dyer with Whitton Sports.

The 6ft 1in tall defender, whose father Dickie is chairman of Thurlow Nunn League side Diss Town, was with the Blues' Centre of Excellence as a schoolboy but followed former Town youth coach Terry Westley to Luton and signed a pro deal in 1996.

Having made just one league sub appearance for the Hatters, he was sold to Arsenal in May 1997 for £2 million.

After six years at Arsenal, during which time he was unable to win a regular place and was sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Reading, Upson moved on to Birmingham for a fee which could ultimately have risen to £3 million after clauses.

In January 2007 he was sold to West Ham for £6 million, leaving the Hammers after his contract expired following their 2010/11 relegation.

Blues boss Paul Jewell revealed that he had tried to recruit Upson following his Upton Park exit but instead he joined his current club Stoke, signing a two-year contract.

Capped 21 times by England including appearances at the 2010 World Cup, scoring two goals, Upson made 20 starts and four sub appearances last season, scoring one goal. His only involvement so far during this campaign was in the 4-3 Capital One Cup exit to Swindon Town.

As TWTD revealed yesterday, Town are currently running the rule over Southend's Bilel Mohsni, primarily a centre-half, while manager Jewell was at the U21 game between Arsenal and Everton last night with Gunners youngster Ignasi Miquel likely to have been the reason for his visit.

Photo: Action Images

daniel9624 added 21:34 - Sep 4 YEP!
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AndyStannard added 21:43 - Sep 4 he scored for england in the world cup 2 years ago and now some of you are saying he's rubbish!! He's been there done that an got the t-shirt!! He'd be great in the championship
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manualthetisfanclub added 21:45 - Sep 4 No way pedro.................I know we need centre backs but would rather have somebody who can actually run,with a bit of pace,unfortunately his best days were 3/4 years ago......next
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ipswich61 added 21:46 - Sep 4 SACK PAUL JEWELL NOW BEFORE WE END UP IN THE 3RD TIER OF FOOTBALL
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eaii added 21:52 - Sep 4 If he has still got pace then he could be an outstanding signing.
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menacinho added 21:57 - Sep 4 Shame we can't sack some posters from here.........
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 22:11 - Sep 4 Wanted Upson pre-season last year, guess he is on a big wage at Stoke but we could do with a leader with experience, just comes down to how much we are prepared to pay. Worth signing him and Aaron Downes from Torquay just so we could have Upson, Downes as our centre backs (Upson, Downes gedditt?) .....I'll get my coat!
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ipswich61 added 22:13 - Sep 4 JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT
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wychyblue added 22:17 - Sep 4 Would do a good job for us imo. Who else are we going to get better? Wages ? Stoke will pay a proportion until his loan ends. It is then up to Clegg et al to negotiate with the player(and agent i guess)who will be out of a job next summer. Likely to take a decent cut for a longer term final fling
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Tractastic added 22:23 - Sep 4 Yes please as long we can either have him on a season long loan or have the ability and finances to sign him in January if the loan is short. This move has to be good for him and his family so lets hope we close the deal and soon.!
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Blue041273 added 22:33 - Sep 4 Can't see Stoke letting him to go to be honest. They released three defenders in the summer and have brought in just one. For a Premiership Club their defensive options are already limited. I would be surprised if this gets beyond the gossip stage.
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davwen2008 added 22:46 - Sep 4 how old was mogga when he signed peeps
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walberswick added 23:07 - Sep 4 He played for Stoke against Swindon. And they lost 3-2 .....
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hollywoodginge added 23:23 - Sep 4 I called this a year ago and was shot down, my rationale was the local link, I have lost count of the times I have seen him shopping in the town centre and I believe he still has property in the area, if a deal can be done, do it! Quality player and fits the bill, centre halfs need not be 25, see Mogga and Venus and latterly McGreal and De Vos, if we can get 2 years experience then there is nothing to complain about here!

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gypo added 02:46 - Sep 5 Not to old at all !! If he can read a game like walky did when he came back you don't need speed just a good footballing brain. Maybe the money saved on players contracts being cancelled might free up something for a loan deal and remember we trained at stoke last week so jewel might have sounded it out then with Pullis and Upson . GO GET HIM & ROLL ON FRIDAY COYB
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gypo added 02:57 - Sep 5 Bilel mohsni could be another Ian Marshall as long as he keeps away from shopping trolleys that is.
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walberswick added 03:25 - Sep 5 pual jewell is doing exactly what he did last year, doesn't he learn from his mistakes?if we haven't got much money you can't shop in the premiership, even if it;s loans, we found out last season that loan sdosn't get you anywhere.
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Lukeybluey added 05:00 - Sep 5 Lionel Messi set to sign on loan. Heard it here 1st. Although if that were to happen, we'd still get the usual miserys come out from under their rock with the face of a slapped arse complaining its a loan, and its not building for the future, and other miserable drivel. Get your missus to make you a bacon sarnie, or a cup of tea, or just munch on some hobnobs or something! Just cheer up!

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DiamondGezzer added 06:16 - Sep 5 Not knocking Tommy Smith at all, just feel he plays his better games when teamed next to an experienced guiding hand [ or should that be foot ].
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Dissboyitfc added 07:26 - Sep 5 Mogga was 32 when joined, and 36/7 when he hung his boots up, his last game of course was the wembley play-off final where he helped propel us into the prem with his equalizer . the odd older player can work....coyb
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Premiertown added 08:08 - Sep 5 Yes we need Centre halves and preferably two. We need to buy a player another team wants to keep and make a signing that improves the squad for the long term. We only take other teams rejects, problem players, or those in dispute. We never seem to learn. And it is true that a good club and manager would not talk about any targets or let it be known that they are being watched at all.

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bluemingood added 08:16 - Sep 5 Warky did a fantastic job in defense till he was 40!
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karls_dad added 08:38 - Sep 5 I,m really not sure on this, we have tried the experinced route before and got a little burnt, Kennedy, Bower and the like, yes he has a good pedigree, yes he has played for England, but is getting on in age, now if he was 28, it would oooh yes! And whilst i,m here this french lad from Southend, hmmm trouble trouble trouble, i think he would upset the dressing romm and we would be playing with ten men for the most part!

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Lombokblue added 08:56 - Sep 5 Would be great but I think there will be a lot of competition
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yorksblue added 09:29 - Sep 5 Is he a Harry type of player though?
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