Town boss Paul Jewell is hopeful that he could add a centre-half to his squad in time for Saturday’s game against Charlton at Portman Road.

Jewell refused to be drawn on the player’s identity at his pre-match press conference: “I’m not being awkward.

“We’ve been trying to get defensive cover in. We’re trying to get one in as we speak. Whether it happens or not for tomorrow, I don’t know, but certainly it’s an area where we need to improve, and not just there, we need to improve all over.

“I’ve spoken about players coming in before and at the last they’ve turned the car around and we’ve ended up with egg on our face, and we’ve only got Tommy and Luke Chambers as senior centre-halves and we need to strengthen that area.

“I was asked the question before in pre-season ‘would we have new players in’ and I said that we would 100% and we didn’t, so I’m never confident but I’m hopeful.

“We’ve got until 12 o’clock tomorrow. It’s not a panic, it’s something we’ve been trying to do for a while and there’s the possibility of it happening.”

The player, who given the lunchtime Saturday deadline would appear to be a loanee rather than someone currently out of contract, isn’t trialist Abdoulaye Meite with Jewell set to talk to his agent in the next few days: “He’s trained all week with us and I’ll be speaking to his representative over the weekend.”

Photo: Action Images

itfc1981 added 14:22 - Sep 21 Is it baby faced Nelson?
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runningout added 14:23 - Sep 21 not one of our illustrious squad is playing like a professional.. it's nearly got to the stage when I go to the game that I know the fan sat next to me can defend better.. and I sit next to my Grandad, and he's blooming useless
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Keaneish added 14:32 - Sep 21 Yes! Welcome back Sonko!
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jamesmostevens added 14:33 - Sep 21 "they've turned the car around and we've ended up with egg on our face" Did they reverse over some eggs? Were 'we' in the back seat holding eggs when the car was reversed too quickly causing us to lose control of the eggs? A wonderfully mixed metaphor here from Jewell.
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smellmycheese added 14:54 - Sep 21 Bette off just staying quiet jewell. It's become a bit of a joke....like you
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Edmunds5 added 15:01 - Sep 21 All for a loan signing or two if it's going to boost us at a difficult time. However after the Wolves game Jewell said the players are good enough, so why do we need to improve all over if that's the case?. Anyway, wont grumble too much, we've got a big game this weekend so lets hope the boys can get a win.
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paulcooperisgod added 15:03 - Sep 21 just seen kevin beattie buying a pair of adidas predators and shin pads in jjb........... is he the missing link???
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hancockingoal added 15:09 - Sep 21 Did anybody actually go to the game on Wednesday night? Chambers had his best game so far and Smith made one mistake! Of course we need to strengthen but overall the back four looked comfortable against the not so hungry Wolves!
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itfckieren added 15:14 - Sep 21 A mate of mine is convinced he saw Tal Ben Haim as he came past PR earlier..
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AwayDays added 15:33 - Sep 21 JEWELL IN!!!!!! TOP 6 FINISH! 2 - 1 tomorrow - Martin Brace!
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Marcus added 15:36 - Sep 21 @scooterblue - If I held my breath waiting for any Town signing I'd be long gone.
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Michael11 added 15:40 - Sep 21 Any rumours as to who guys?
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:10 - Sep 21 yes pessimistic ,i agree we should give PJ a break, a gardening break,he is really turning out to be a buffoon ,not a feckin clue .I wasnt over the moonabout his appointment but was happy to give it time to see how he would do, as far as im concerned [for what its worth] i think he has been a disaster and should go ,voluntarily or at gunpoint if need be .
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CraigEdwards added 16:13 - Sep 21 Terry Butcher is to return, kill two birds with one stone.
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paulcooperisgod added 16:24 - Sep 21 Player manager?
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TimmyH added 16:33 - Sep 21 So if it isn't Meite who the hell is it? any school kids manage to get on the training pitch?
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Dissblue added 16:36 - Sep 21 Why does he bother opening his mouth until it's finalised? When it falls through Jewell will look stupid - again.
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Bluetone added 16:49 - Sep 21 PJ said "we need to improve all over" starting wirh the manager's office.
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bluemingood added 17:02 - Sep 21 Hopper. Read the report. He said it is a deal they have been working on for a while. Not a last minute panic.
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tractorboybeer added 17:25 - Sep 21 Sean St Ledger, Loan until January then permanant signing, hopefully anyway, St Ledger and Chambers at the back. Do not rate Smith never have but at least he has some experience now and will provide cover as required.
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TractorTrog added 17:35 - Sep 21 This is good news if its who we think it is .....we need a bigger bench and soon!!!
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SeasonTKT_Cobbold added 17:44 - Sep 21 Looks like a striker is needed now with Taylor and Chopra facing a spell out
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TownLad21 added 18:09 - Sep 21 danny bloody higgingbotham
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BuckieBlue added 18:12 - Sep 21 Tommy Smith must be knackered physically and mentally after no summer break- get someone in for his sake as much as for the rest of the team.
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TractorCam added 18:38 - Sep 21 Well in Jewell, you said you'd get someone in and you did, good timing as well! I was losing faith in him but it's gone up a little bit again, COYB
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