Former Wimbledon, West Ham, Aston Villa and Bolton midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has signed a three-month deal with the Blues. The 28-year-old has been a free agent since leaving the Trotters at the end of last season.

Reo-Coker told the club site: “Ipswich is a sleeping giant in the Championship. It’s a massive club with a great history and tradition. The facilities are first class and there is a terrific fanbase. It’s the right club at the right time for me and everything has just fallen into place.

“I had a good conversation with the manager. He’s highly respected in the game for what he has achieved and I know what he’s trying to do at the club.

“Ipswich may be at the wrong end of the table at the moment but it’s still early in the season and I’m sure with the manager and players the club have, it’s only a matter of time before things turn around.”

Former England U21 international Reo-Coker is with the Blues until January 12th and says he is open to where things might progress from there: “I’ve no plans after that. I’m here for three months and am looking forward to it.

“I want to do the best I can for Ipswich in that time and we will see where it goes after that.”

Describing Town as having a "fantastic club, very well structured", Reo-Coker wasn't put off by the Blues' current lowly position: "We're on the same page. So it all fell into place and I just need to get some games under my belt.

"I don't think you can look at the table after 10 games and think that's how it's going to be. About the same time last year Reading were in the relegation zone and they got promoted."

He says long-term he hasn't given up on playing at a much higher level having been on standby for the 2006 England squad: "I believe I still have the quality to be an international player."

Blues boss Paul Jewell says he's delighted to add Reo-Coker to his squad: “There were a few clubs after Nigel so we are delighted to have him here.

“He’s played a lot of football in the Premier League and has a wealth of experience, even though he’s only 28.

“He will give us a lot of drive and energy in midfield. I think we have lacked that player to go and win the ball back for us and Nigel will do that.

“He has leadership qualities and has skippered teams wherever he has played. He’s also a strong character and that is what we need at the moment.”

Photo: Action Images

hairbear added 08:42 - Oct 14 What difference does it make if its a loan or not? It's 3 months and he will walk away after! It might take us out of the relegation zone but these types of deals are not the way forward. JEWELL OUT!!!
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 08:51 - Oct 14 With all these loans we should be sponsored by wonga.com Reo coker's chance to prove he still has got what it takes but how match fit is he going to be?
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dommyboyblue added 08:55 - Oct 14 This signing is perfect for the 4 6 0 formation pj will be employing
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Keaneish added 09:00 - Oct 14 Fair shout Bedsitfc although i think he's dreaming if he thinks he's still prem standard!
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tractorblue added 09:08 - Oct 14 Good Signing JEWELL OUT
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Lord_Mac added 09:09 - Oct 14 Last season, when they were in this sort of league position, Doncaster came up with the model of offering short-term deals to high profile players who were unattached. Where are they now?
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cats_whiskers added 09:13 - Oct 14 At 5' 9 tall I thought Jewell said he was going to add height to this squad Why does this clubs players look so small to others on the pitch It seems as though we employ a height limit like Pleasurewood Hills
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GibbsITFC added 09:25 - Oct 14 Another masterstroke by PJ. Great signing.
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StanwayBlue added 09:27 - Oct 14 I can't believe there are still those having a go at PJ over this. 1. Maybe R-C asked for 3 months 2. PJ doesn't do the deals. 3. The club have landed a quality player / leader at a time when we are in trouble. Give it a rest!!!!!!
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Wickets added 09:34 - Oct 14 Dont know much on his recent form, did he play much for Bolton last season? Did he not have a troublemaker tag at one time? Any info Phil? or anyone.
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BluedanW added 09:38 - Oct 14 True it maybe Reo Coker's choice of a 3 month trial. But Jewell should of said jog on unless you sign til the end of next season. We already have enough short term players. We need to scrap the wage structure and sign Boyd, a midfielder with creativity!
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warwickblue added 09:40 - Oct 14 In fairness, StanwayBlue, I think people are trying to make the wider point that Jewell said an awful lot in the summer about building a team based on youth; how he had learned his lesson re. short-term loans and older pro journey-men and how it is not the way forward for the club and then...ten games into a disastrous start to the season in come the loans/short contracts. Personally, I pleased that Reo-Coker is here for the next few games but that's as far as it goes. In terms of long-term policy for the club's success it seems perfectly reasonable for fans to suggest that Jewell's management strategies are fairly disastrous.

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cantona11 added 09:41 - Oct 14 Riley26 wot r u on Martin is one of the worst players we have had for a long time his end product is none existent he gets played better than most others and is a big time Charlie and he can not read the game wrong attitude glad to see him go hopefully soon reo Coker is the sane sort or player as runs is socks off and has the end product GOALS!!!!!!!!
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martleshamitfc added 09:43 - Oct 14 Biggest surprise is that he is still only 28 , thought he was much older, he seems to have been around for years. Good signing.
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Wickets added 09:44 - Oct 14 Bolton player of year last season but walked away when still on prem wages, hope this works out for us.
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RYITFC added 09:47 - Oct 14 Good addition, but if we are serious about building a team, we should be giving him a 2 or 3 year deal. What we don't want happening is him using us to get his fitness back, starts playing well, then leaves us in January. At the age of 28 i think we could get 3 years of him playing at his peak. We could build a team around him. Will be interesting to find out who was the driver behind the 3 month deal.

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PimsNumber1 added 10:05 - Oct 14 I would think it was rio cokers decision to do 3 months and see from there. Or marcus has allowed 3 months for jewell to improve before a new manager comes in and changes everything/everyone .Any new manager ( if needed) would surely have wanted rio coker anyway /. Was harry his manager at west ham ?
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StuartBrett8 added 10:07 - Oct 14 Great signing, goodbye N'daw and Wellens... we don't need you anymore :)
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floridaboy added 10:22 - Oct 14 What a complete waste of wages. We are overloaded with midfielders especially holding ones. Where is he going to play and who is he going to displace. Hyam? Dont get this one at all. Yes he is only 28 but he has not played this season so is probably not match fit So that is Wellens gone after a month then. Shame! Not sure about the season long loans though. Would the club have to pay to end the loan ie Loungo and N'Daw. Sorry but we need another left back urgently as Cresswell is not doing the business and is only in the side as there no replacement at the club at present

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Whymarktonomarks added 10:23 - Oct 14 Get players fit for Leicester , bring on Tottenham's kids , ship over a player from France for a year to not even make the bench , and put ex 'prem-superstar's ( I dont think so ) back in the shop window are obviously all the correct moves when the squad needs a 'confidence and team spirit ' injection ? Ambose and Dyer to follow , so lay off PJ cause he's obviously got it sorted .

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Whymarktonomarks added 10:28 - Oct 14 Just heard from a mate of mine , up in Manchester , that Richard Wright is on his way down for talks . I can barely control my positivity .
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TractorCam added 10:39 - Oct 14 Great signing, a shame it's only 3 months but hopefully we will extend it, whats our midfield count now then?
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Blue041273 added 11:02 - Oct 14 I think most of us would be happy if he did reproduce his Premiership form and got us a little bit further up the table even if it meant he was snapped up by a premier League club in January. But whichever way you look at it this is another crisis signing with little or nothing of a long term plan to it. Gambling like this is fine if it works. I don't think this will affect PJ's prospects of staying in his job one bit, but I would say that if this signing had been made by Harry Redknapp or any other successor it would be widely hailed as a master stroke.

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cressi added 11:09 - Oct 14 Whats wrong with you all a quality player if he helps us get points and out of this muddle no one will be moaning 3 months better than no months for sure didnt agree with the wellens deal as only a month and a international break in the middle
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yorksblue added 11:10 - Oct 14 Give him captaincy now, then it may prompt a longer stay. Edwards is clearly not captain material.
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