Blues boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that former West Brom and Bolton centre-half Abdoulaye Meite is spending the week on trial at Playford Road. The Town manager also revealed that 29-year-old Ghanaian international John Mensah, a Sunderland loanee for two seasons, was a possible signing last week.

Jewell confirmed that free agent Meite, who was signed by former Blue Tony Mowbray during his time as manager at the Hawthorns, is at the club: “He’s training with us this week. He came in on Monday and Tuesday and he’ll be in tomorrow. We’re looking at him for a week.

“John Mensah was mentioned last week. He was training at West Ham and there was a possibility that that was going to happen but again it didn’t.

“These players are out of work, out of contract or the clubs that they’re at are now realising the money they wanted for them or the money that players were demanding before the transfer window isn’t about.”

Mensah was released by Lyon at the end of last season having previously played for the likes of Genoa, Chievo, Modena, Cremonese and Rennes.

Town’s interest in former FC Köln man Kevin Pezzoni, who was on trial last week, seems unlikely to be progressed any further: “He did OK. I spoke with his father here last week and I spoke to his agent and the money the agent was looking for is out of our level.

“He’s played the last four seasons as a defensive midfield player as well and we’re looking for that typical English centre-half that no one can find anywhere.”

Jewell has no injury concerns ahead of Wednesday’s game against Wolves, despite Paul Taylor and Luke Chambers having suffered minor knocks at Middlesbrough, while Ronan Murray’s three-match suspension after his red card in the U21s on Sunday only affects non-first team games.

Photo: Action Images

chepstowblue added 16:32 - Sep 18 Im a 5ft8" taxi driver from Chepstow aged 46 and even ive got a trial at playford rd next monday!!
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walberswick added 16:42 - Sep 18 “These players are out of work, out of contract or so crap that clubs give them a trial to stop them from crying"
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Kesgraveblue57 added 16:48 - Sep 18 Sorry but anyone is better than who we have at the moment at the town with C/Bs Pinky and Pecky, chepstowblue could well fit the team.
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casanovacrow added 16:59 - Sep 18 Meite never impressed me at WBA or Bolton. John Mensah on the other hand would've had me drooling. Sod's law that one ain't happening lol
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Blue_Meanie added 16:59 - Sep 18 Hark............. the sound of barrels being scraped internationally.
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paulcooperisgod added 17:05 - Sep 18 Well lose tomorrow and its bye bye jewell and hopefully hello old wolves manager big mick
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afrodids added 17:09 - Sep 18 As I Tap my red shoes together and say, "There's no place like home!""There's no place like home!""There's no place like home!"
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MorgBlue added 17:17 - Sep 18 Given our recent record in securing signings, I very much doubt the John Mensah deal is a possibility. I hope our interest is revived - He'd be an excellent addition. He's the right age (compared to Smith & Chambers) and the right stature.
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ChrisMakin2012 added 17:49 - Sep 18 One day Jewell's going to get so sick of Clegg, he'll just walk away from town. Can see it happening now.
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sereneblue added 18:01 - Sep 18 Why not ask these players(or agents) from the start what wages they want.If its to high ,why waste time with trails etc. There's to much greed in this game. Im still backing Jewel, however if we were to replace him, please god don't let it be Mick McCarthy!!
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masetheace added 18:48 - Sep 18 Problems 1 For gods sake check the wage demands before a trial 2 Why trials anyway for proven players . Be like all the other clubs and get it done 3 Sack the chief scout and get someone whose opinion is respected enough to actr on
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paulcooperisgod added 18:53 - Sep 18 Mick McCarthy would take no bulls#it from upstairs if he don't like something he not scared to say so like yes man jewell
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lonelyblue added 19:15 - Sep 18 Honestly I'd rather have PJ than Mick McCarthy. I'd rather see us lose every game trying to play at least SOME football than watch a team managed by a slightly more competent RK. Maybe that's just me. And maybe I should be careful what I wish for because actually that doesn't seem the unlikeliest of scenarios does it?
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walberswick added 19:20 - Sep 18 Jewell confirms, "I don't know what I'm doing."
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TimmyH added 19:33 - Sep 18 Mensah - yes Meite - No, can we afford either players wages - No.
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Talbs77 added 20:05 - Sep 18 I actually think this guy could a job, he's played in the Premiership at a couple of clubs, although Mensah would have been excellent. As for McCarthy, no thanx, hardly ended well at Sunderland and Wolves did it, and I'm sure the fans would love his brand of football! Besides, he looks too much like the eagle out of the Muppets.
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TimmyH added 20:32 - Sep 18 Evening Talbs! - yeah Mensah would be a great addition, heard indifferent things about Meite but he has been Premiership so might not be that much of a risk although he apparantly is coming up to 32. Agree Mick McCarthy wouldn't be the right manager if and when that does come about, still like to see Alan Curbishley come here, not sure he's up to much.
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ScottITFC14 added 20:47 - Sep 18 Is it a coincidence Meite comes on trial a few days after we play Mowbray's team? Mowbray probably suggesting we give him a trial. Jewell should be looking for his own targets and not be drawn to names or reputations. I Don't understand why we're not looking in the lower leagues because there are players like Chris Smalling out there that would jump at the chance of warming our bench, yet have the potential to be great players.

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Talbs77 added 20:51 - Sep 18 Evening TimmyH! How are ya son?! Yeah Mensah is looking unlikely now mate, however didnt realise this lad was 32 BUT Warky, Mowbray and McGreal were never the quickest, most of cb play I think is played in the head. I totally agree on Curbishley, just cos the guys been out of it a while, doesnt mean he's become a bad Manager. Would however question how much he actually wants to come back into football. People talking about Redknapp are just dreaming. Besides, we have a manager and I for one havent given up on him yet, but the clock is ticking (as it is with ALL managers in football) and if we get a bad result tomorrow, theres no doubt the vultchers will start circling. He's vulnerable as he's in the last year of his contract, but then again, I think the bloody tea lady at the club is also in her last year!!

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bluey123 added 20:55 - Sep 18 Oh my god look who Jewell is looking at a great youngster M Silvestre formerly of Man U he must be at least 35 great Jewell says looking at youth and no short term loans,building for the future absolute crap
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RegencyBlue added 20:58 - Sep 18 Here's an idea - find out what sort of wage these players are looking for BEFORE taking them on trial! Could save everyone a lot of time and effort!!
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 21:01 - Sep 18 'In 2012 a cack commando unit of mercenaries was sent to Playford Road by their agents for crimes against football that they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from Playford Road never to be seen again. Today, still wanted by no-one, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you are desperate for an unwanted and overrated out of contract player, maybe you can hire the A-gents' Team.'

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righty added 21:03 - Sep 18 Jewell out Jewell out JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT
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karls_dad added 21:40 - Sep 18 PJ has today by his comments confirmed what we have all thought for some time, he has not a clue what he is doing! We as supporters should have and deserve better than what we are being served, we are there behind the shirt, we pay out our hard earnt on a regular basis, yet we all have blind faith in a complete idiot... to say there are no players out there to be had, what a Dick!

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ipswich61 added 21:46 - Sep 18 jewell comfirms im on my last legs
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