TWTD understands that Town are close to making former Colchester United and Bristol City keeper Dean Gerken their fifth signing of the summer. As we revealed on Saturday, the 28-year-old free agent is currently training with the Blues in Ireland, having been released by the Robins at the end of last season.

Gerken, from Rochford in Essex, began his career as a youth player with Southend before moving on to the U’s in 2002.

After seven years with Colchester — during which time he spent a short spell on loan with Darlington — the 6ft 4in tall keeper moved on to Bristol City for an undisclosed fee in June 2009.

While at Ashton Gate he made 60 appearances, having been former England keeper David James’s deputy for much of the time.

Blues fans will recall his outstanding performance to earn his side a 0-0 draw at Portman Road in February 2010.

Gerken could be involved in Saturday's first friendly of pre-season against Shelbourne at Tolka Park, Dublin (KO 5pm).

Having released Arran Lee-Barrett - who we understand trained with the Blues last week - and Jason Brown at the end of the season, Scott Loach is currently Town’s only senior goalkeeper and at least one new keeper is on manager Mick McCarthy’s summer wish list.

Former loanee Stephen Henderson was targeted for a season-long loan last month but Town and West Ham were unable to agree terms on a deal.

Photo: Action Images

Keaneish added 18:44 - Jul 4 Surprised he wasn't ahead of Heaton to be fair!
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essextractorboy93 added 18:52 - Jul 4 Good solid keeper. McCarthy is slowly but surely making the squad his own.
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karls_dad added 19:15 - Jul 4 I can see this lad being our number one keeper, he seems to have a better command of the box and very vocal to the defenders, and he comes off the line to catch the ball something that has been missing in the past, yes i,m happy with him as our main keeper, but thats just my opinion... time will tell.
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RegencyBlue added 19:30 - Jul 4 I'm not as sure as most others seem to be that Loach is guaranteed the No 1 spot. Good shot stopper but palms the ball away, when he should hold it, too much for me. Time will tell I suppose!
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battyblue added 19:38 - Jul 4 marshalls mullit never expected top two or play off's but quite a few on here do
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airliner added 20:57 - Jul 4 It just amazes me why some people think we should pay stupid money for players like Blackburn who incidentally may go bankrupt for the crazy money they are paying players. We are the dark horses of this division. They are all trying to buy their way out we are building for the future unlike all. The. Other fools!
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riley26 added 22:06 - Jul 4 Obviously as fans we love it when the players are fans too, therefore of course we want Loach to be No.1. However Gerken is a decent keeper and there will be no sentiment as far as Mick is concerned, the best keeper will take the jersey. Solid signings so far, we always want a marquee signing, or an exciting up and coming player, I'm sure we are not done transfer wise in any way yet, three or four more I'd expect before the window closes. That said I am excited about some of the lads we already have, Nouble, Taylor and McGoldrick in particular. While the likes of Cresswell, Smith and Hyam are great to have in the squad as senior players in their own right now, not just youth for the sake of youth. Much faith in Mick and TC.

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PimsNumber1 added 22:41 - Jul 4 i remember him playing against us a few years back and he was brilliant. only negative is that he couldnt dislodge james at bristol , because every time he (james) played against us he was cack and was in general !
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yun added 07:17 - Jul 5 @blueboots - the burger jokes have been flying around all week. Good to see you finally ketchup.
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theobald1985 added 08:01 - Jul 5 loach is fine as number one i have no concerns he did well last season when he came in and needs a season as numbeer ine to build his.confidence. he did not get to where he is today by being a bad keeper and the.rest is.just match practise and confidence and we all need to get behind him this s eason and not start grumbling after one mistake
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theobald1985 added 08:08 - Jul 5 oh yeah and having seen dean g a number if times i think he is devent but not as good as loach. he lost his place to aiden davidson at colu. he was approaching 40 and coaching at the.club at.the.time and i think the reason was dean g was not collecting crosses and commanding defence well enough. i imagine gurkin has worked on these problems since then and will a competant number 2

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Mr_Evans added 08:47 - Jul 5 As much as I like Loach, I think Gerken may well be our no1, at 28 he'll now be hitting his prime as a GK and could well be a no1 for many years. I'm quite surprised his 'indecent exposure' conviction hasn't Bern raised yet. He.was caught urinating in public whilst at Bristol City. Personally if I needed a wee, and.couldn't and couldn't hold any longer, I'd have no qualms about doing the same!

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osborne1nil added 09:25 - Jul 5 Loach is a good number 2 but as many on here have said is not good enough at holding the ball and commanding his area. IMO he trys fisting the ball away rather than catching it and this can be a dangerous habit. Good shot stopper but needs to improve in several areas, which hopefully he will. Don't know much about Gerken but needs to be good competition for number 1 spot as we may as well kept ALB otherwise.

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NW10_Tractor added 12:03 - Jul 5 What about Nyatanga for a defender?? Another Bristol City man, but has been released... Got be worth a punt...
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acitfc added 18:32 - Jul 6 @osborne1nil "Fisting a dangerous habit"?! Surely you could post that on more suitable forums lol !
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