Blues boss Paul Jewell has revealed that ex-FC Köln central defender Kevin Pezzoni has been on trial at Playford Road for the last three days. The Town manager has spent the international week searching for central defensive recruits but confirmed that no one will be joining the club before Saturday’s game at Middlesbrough with former trialist Bilel Mohsni definitely not signing.

Jewell said: “Like always, we’re trying to improve the squad. We know we need another centre-half to come in and provide cover for the two we’ve got.

“We had Bilel Mohsni from Southend, we asked him to stay for another week but he decided against it and has gone back to Paris.

“We’ve had Kevin Pezzoni training with us from Köln for three days this week. It’s an area that we need to improve and we’re aware of that and we haven’t been successful as yet.

“He’s been training with us since Tuesday. He’s a free agent, we’ve had a look at him this week, I’ve spoken to his father and I’ll be speaking to his agent and let him know the decision.”

Frankfurt-born Pezzoni played youth football with RM Walldorf, SV Darmstadt 98 and Eintracht Frankfurt before joining the Blackburn Rovers academy.

The 23-year-old 6ft 5in tall centre-half or midfielder, capped at U19, U20 and U21 levels by Germany, moved to his most recent club in January 2008 but had his contract ripped up recently after he received threats from fans of his own club online, then was attacked at a funfair and threatened at his home.

His former coach Holger Stanislawski admitted that the defender had to move on: "Things have happened that prevented Kevin from playing football at this club."

Speaking earlier this week, Pezzoni was critical of his old club: "I never wanted to cancel my contract. A proposal was put forward to me by the club.

"What else could I have expected? My situation was not going to get any better.

"Who knows if after the next bad game these guys would have suddenly appeared in my apartment rather than just outside it.

"A club is supposed to protect its players and supporters, but this was not the case."

Having had his contract terminated before the transfer window closed, Pezzoni, who has recently been linked with Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Celtic, could sign and play now.

Jewell says the situation with Mohsni is now at a close with the Shrimpers but not the player willing to allow the Blues to take an extended look, although with no fee having been offered: “Southend agreed he could come and train with us for a week and play for the U21s last week.

“We wanted to see a bit more because we felt he hadn’t been tested and he wasn’t prepared to do that. Southend were, but the lad wasn’t and I think he’s gone back to Paris. That's over now.”

Jewell confirmed that, as we reported earlier in the week, the George Boyd situation is on the back burner while the central defensive additions are resolved: “Barry Fry came on the phone to me last week and asked me about George Boyd because I’d made comments in the press about him.

“I was only answering a question after either George’s agent or the Peterborough end had let it out that there might be a loan situation. There might well be, but it’s not our priority at the moment.”

Town have confirmed that French midfielder Cheick Kourouma’s move will go through although paperwork from Italy is still to be received.

Photo: Action Images

gibbo added 13:34 - Sep 13 Deep joy, why is it Boro and Blackpool can sign centre backs this week but we cant get this guy from Southend on a loan deal surly one spare centre back is better then no spare centre backs.
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cornishnick added 13:40 - Sep 13 Makes the decision to pay off Delaney's contract more ridiculous than ever.
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Sindre94 added 13:41 - Sep 13 Trust me, this is a quality player, would love it if we got him
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planetblue_2011 added 13:42 - Sep 13 Dear oh me why is it so hard for this club to sign a centre back?!! Is it so hard to tie up a decent deal these days. Well it is for this club, I just hope Chambers and Smith stay fit. They should of done their work in pre season to get the defence sorted then worry about other areas after that.
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walberswick added 13:45 - Sep 13 we've turned into a shop window for the waifs, strays and free agents.
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wkj added 13:45 - Sep 13 I have to say; even though I have been really patient so far with a SEEMINGLY underwhelming attempt to strengthen the squad; things at PR are beginning to irritate me a little- I hope this all figures out sooner than later, but going against Midds on Saturday with no new signings for center half is a hard to take with the small shred hope and optimism we were presented on the close of the transfer window. Down vote my comment if you like, because I ultimately want to down vote it myself as I hate moaning ><

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StowTractorBoy added 13:46 - Sep 13 What has happened to the centre back a Premiership Manager indicated we could have. It sounded done and almost dusted but obviously not. All very frustrating for us fans who will be very disappointed that our defensive frailties could continue on Teesside Saturday. I would definitely give NDaw the left side of the centre of defence position if only to see if he can cut it.

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brian_a_mul added 13:51 - Sep 13 Boro and Blackpool have bigger wages budgets than us. Blackpool still have PL money and are one of the favourites for to auto promotion. Moshni clearly doesnt give a toss about earning a contract at Ipswich, if thats his attitude then we are much better off. I feel very sorry for Pezzoni, does anyone know why he received threats from Koln fans? 6'5", not a bad height for a defender. Free agent, could be worth a shot. If he is good, im sure other clubs will be interested.

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GermanTractorBoy added 13:51 - Sep 13 Shocking news that is. Besides Ipswich I support my hometown club FC Cologne and I can only give PJ the following advice: Wish him well and look elsewhere. Pezzoni was the weakest link in Cologne´s defence and unfortunately has been mobbed by many so-called supporters in recent weeks. That´s why his contract was terminated last week to give him a new chance elsewhere - but please not at Ipswich.

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Grimsbyblue added 13:53 - Sep 13 Sounds interesting, tried investigating what happened and found the link below. http://ca.sports.yah...39084--sow.html Unbelievable treatment really. If he came through the German U19/20/21 system must be worth a look.
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pazelle added 13:53 - Sep 13 Wasn't sure about this lad till I saw that photo - sign him up!
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ingyblue added 13:55 - Sep 13 Surely if the fans are getting on his back he must make more than the odd mistake! Although at this rate seems we won't be getting any one in soon! Hope I'm wrong in need of another central defender minimum
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Vic added 13:59 - Sep 13 Sindre - You seem very sure about him - I'm guessing that from your continental vantage point you probably know off him. Have you seen him play or are you just going by reports on here?
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cricko2011 added 14:00 - Sep 13 Blah blah blah same rubbish Jewell fed up now .please leave this club how long have you had to get players in .
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brian_a_mul added 14:03 - Sep 13 Thats shocking treatment of a young player by fans! Nobody deserves to be treated like that. Any player playing in that environment wont be helped. the guy has potential and needs a fresh start badly. Every player deserves a second chance. Look at Tommy Smith!! Early last season Smiths career looked dead and buried after a few bad performances and mistakes. He worked hard, put the head down, got some confidence back and fought back into the first team. Now he captains his national team and is a vital part of our team.

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WickedBlue added 14:03 - Sep 13 What a lot of moaning and whining again and I swear most of you are too stupid to actually read more than the headline! If your wandering what I am talking about I suggest you read the whole of the article as I am not going to do your work for you.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:10 - Sep 13 OMG! It's a long way to January with our current defence, and that's without any - sorry "either": there are only two! - getting injured. I am very fearful. I just hope our new man N'Daw can fill in if needs be. Agree with StowTB: I'd give him a run out against Boro on Sat. COYB.
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PunchNoHopers added 14:17 - Sep 13 So Smith may come back injured or otherwise be exhasuted, we let Delaney go and now we aren't getting anyone in this week, slowly I'm losing all faith now as to the direction this club is being steered in under Jewell.
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eaii added 14:17 - Sep 13 @Sindre94 I have only seen him on TV but I am puzzled where you get the quality player bit? he is average but certainly not English football seasoned and I am at a loss with the IDIOTS running this club.
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MattinLondon added 14:24 - Sep 13 Sometimes players get a very raw deal from their own fans and this affects their performance and self-confidence. Matt Richards was the victim of the boo-boys as was Scowie. Given a fresh start maybe he will be good here.
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steed added 14:31 - Sep 13 Am getting really hacked of with this now . When the transfer window closed jewell said we have loan players lined up . This is now a lie nothing again on the defenders coming in .what the hell is going on at itfc if there is no money for loans ect come out with the truth at least I could accept this. If they want to use spin all the time then get a job with the Tories .

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brockleyblueboy added 14:32 - Sep 13 Mohsni showing his true self. If he is not prepared to show what he can do against better opposition, then surly hey is not a player we want. It's best to make the right decision rather than the hasty one.
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BoredWithThisNow added 14:35 - Sep 13 Kevin Pezzoni, not Kevin Pezzoni..........bloody hell this'll be the signing of the summer, we'll conquer the world with Kevin Pezzoni. Never thought we'd get Kevin Pezzoni in a million years. What a coup. Kevin Pezzoni.
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Marcus added 14:46 - Sep 13 @eiaa I guess that's why he's on trial. To see if he fits in and see if he likes the club and English football. German football isn't that different anyway.
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Dog added 14:50 - Sep 13 Makes you think Matt Richards got off lightly.
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