Former Ireland international defender Sean St Ledger is the trialist in action for Town’s U21s in this evening’s U21 Premier Cup tie against Southampton at Portman Road.

The 29-year-old, still a free agent following his release by Leicester in the summer, was close to joining the Blues in January 2012 before regaining his place in the Foxes side.

Solihull-born St Ledger, capped 37 times by Ireland, scoring three goals, came through the ranks at Peterborough, before spending time at Stevenage (loan), Preston and Middlesbrough (loan), Leicester and Millwall (loan). In the summer he spent time on trial with Huddersfield but his move broke down after Mark Robins's departure.

"I was very close to signing for Huddersfield at the start of the season but that didn't materialise," he told RTE last week.

"Since then I've just been going to the gym trying to stay fit but it's pretty difficult, you can't replicate football fitness in the gym really.

"I was offered something but then it just didn't happen, I wasn't happy with [the terms]. It was going to be more [incentive-based] and only a three-month contract so I felt I was taking all the risk.

"I said 'What happens if I pull my calf' but they were fine, [manager] Mark Robins said 'Okay we'll sort something out on Monday'.

"But then I woke up on Sunday morning and he'd got the sack or resigned. I was like: 'How's your luck?'

"They said, 'We still want to sign you,' but as time started going on, I started wondering. They said, 'We can't sign you because we have no manager.' I said I completely understand. Then they signed someone on loan!

"I don't really do anything because I'm obviously hoping that tomorrow I'm going to get a phone call"

"I rang my agent and they said, 'Oh we're still going to sign you, don't worry.'

"We told them we had [also] some interest from America.Then it was transfer deadline day and I'm watching it and I saw that they had signed Mark Hudson, another centre-half, and I didn't hear from them again. I knew that once they had signed a centre-half, that was it."

Town also include Cameron Stewart, Alex Henshall and Balint Bajner from the start.

U21s: Crowe, Emmanuel, Wyatt, Guldbrandsen, St Ledger, Clarke, Stewart, Benyu, McQueen, Bajner, Henshall. Subs: Marsden, Robinson, McLoughloin, Galvin, Ford.

Southampton: Gazzaniga, Mason, DeBayo, Gape, Mugabi, McCarthy, Isgrove, Little, McQueen, Seagers, Rowe. Subs: Cook, Istead, Willard, Sims, Lea.

Photo: Action Images

paulcooperisgod added 16:09 - Nov 25 freddie sears? id rather have Freddie and the dreamers!! he`s already found his level lower league one...... id try for David nugent just think how many home goals he would get us
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brian_a_mul added 17:32 - Nov 25 Great!! at 29 he should be at his peak for a CB, match fitness will be an issue but he would provide excellent cover and again another good leader/team player in the team.
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runningout added 22:02 - Nov 25 are we desperate???
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 01:22 - Nov 26 Usual childish comments, so we are looking at a centre back (and even he's only on trial like many others who've come and gone). A. It doesn't mean we aren't looking at other positions. B. We still need cover at centre back C. At 29 he's a perfect age I've no real idea if he's good enough having spent so much time out but if he is and he gets a contract then great, one less problem to worry about!

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walberswicks added 10:23 - Nov 26 he couldn't do a job in the U21's
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blueboy1981 added 19:51 - Nov 26 St Ledger is hardly past his best at 29, would definitely be worth a throw as a squad player - get him in. Mat just be the spur he needs to get back to his very capable best.
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