Town boss Mick McCarthy is showing interest in former Ireland international defender Richard Dunne, according to a report in Ireland.

The Irish Sun claims McCarthy, who gave Dunne his Ireland debut back in 2000, wants to bring the former Manchester City, Aston Villa and Everton man to join the Blues' promotion push.

Dunne is said to have a couple of options following his release by QPR at the end of last season, although he is also weighing-up whether to hang up his boots at the age of 35.

The Blues moving for another senior centre-half seems unlikely with Christophe Berra and Tommy Smith established at the heart of the defence and skipper Luke Chambers, currently operating at right-back, also primarily a central defender.

Town are also close to bringing in Piotr Malarczyk from Korona Kielce, a central defender or right-back.

The 24-year-old Pole is understood to have travelled to Ipswich yesterday with talks regarding his £8,500 switch believed to be ongoing.

Photo: Action Images

1psw1ch added 16:25 - Aug 25 The only good thing about Dunne joining is his name is easier to prounce to the polish guy coming in but to old as well
1

1psw1ch added 16:27 - Aug 25 Hope this ain't a Dunne deal
2

1psw1ch added 16:27 - Aug 25 Hope this ain't a Dunne deal
1

1psw1ch added 16:28 - Aug 25 Hope this ain't a Dunne deal
1

1psw1ch added 16:29 - Aug 25 Hope this ain't a Dunne deal
1

spanishblue added 16:30 - Aug 25 More like Micks trying to lower whatisnames wage demands,just letting him know we have iron,s in fires everywhere
1

Currie10 added 16:52 - Aug 25 " I am not commenting on this proposed signing but the persistent abuse against Tommy Smith is boring and without justification. " Okay here's my viewpoint - and thanks the for -11 down arrows from everyone. It's plain as day we have quite a slow backline, so the only way possible to incorporate Dunne would be to have pace at full back. In no way shape or form do I think Smith is a bad player. He's more than capable, good solid championship defender and I'm glad we have him. He chips in with a good amount of goals per season and wins us that points. However, think Derby last season. 0-0, let the ball bounce. At times unfortunately he does have a mistake in him. Personally, I'd go with Berra/ Chambers CB but that's just me.

4

Currie10 added 16:53 - Aug 25 " I am not commenting on this proposed signing but the persistent abuse against Tommy Smith is boring and without justification. " Okay here's my viewpoint - and thanks the for -11 down arrows from everyone. It's plain as day we have quite a slow backline, so the only way possible to incorporate Dunne would be to have pace at full back. In no way shape or form do I think Smith is a bad player. He's more than capable, good solid championship defender and I'm glad we have him. He chips in with a good amount of goals per season and wins us that points. However, think Derby last season. 0-0, let the ball bounce. At times unfortunately he does have a mistake in him. Personally, I'd go with Berra/ Chambers CB but that's just me.

1

Slambo added 17:18 - Aug 25 NorthernBlue_81 - Jesus mate, where have you been the last 3 years..?! McCarthy signs obscure, unknown players that - more often than not - turn out to be gems: Mings, Bru, Fraser, Maitland-Niles, Knudsen - all off the top of my head. 100% confident it'll be the same with this new Polish fella. That's how the club operates now and long may it continue...
2

minesapint added 17:19 - Aug 25 Mark Fish.
1

Currie10 added 17:31 - Aug 25 Mick's pure class!
1

titanicclown added 17:32 - Aug 25 While its good to support your players (and I always will at the ground) surely its completely obvious TS is the weak link in the team. Consistently beaten on the deck, no recovery and gets out muscled regularly. Quality cbs like Berra just dont get beaten and conceed goals the way Smith does. If Dunnes fit and available and in the right frame of mind its no brainer. Totally different catergory and class of player.

0

jas0999 added 17:34 - Aug 25 Experienced cover is what we need, but despite his age, I suspect he would still demand a hefty salary. The question therefore is can we justify a large salary for a player unlikely to be a starter? Also, will he want to sit on the bench? Experienced heads and influence are good, but I just can't see us being in for a centre half.
2

RedWhiteAndBLUE added 17:35 - Aug 25 Phil's aching for this to happen so he can use the headline 'it's a dunne deal'
1

badadski added 17:49 - Aug 25 He was a monster against us last season when we played QPR, nothing got past him at all. Great back up if you ask me, doesn't have the pace but never really did and lets face it who in our back line has pace any way? I dont see anything wrong with this, his experience could be invaluable if something happened to one of our experienced defenders and with this season being our best chance in over a decade i dont see anything wrong with good, no great cover.

0

Jeff_winger added 18:22 - Aug 25 Every facial expression in that photo is awesome
0

oldbri added 18:29 - Aug 25 As Mick the man plays his cards close to his chest , how the eck has this vital info leaked out. In Mick we trust. Let's go stuff Donny.
1

Hegansheroes added 19:09 - Aug 25 Hopefully only paper talk. Re Smith I think he is a better CH than Chambers & does weigh in with goals & people forget Smith is also playing out of position, not as much as Chambers granted.
1

braveblue added 19:22 - Aug 25 NorthernBlue see you are getting down arrowed for voicing an opinion doubting the signing of a 35 year old player who is thinking of retiring!! I totally agree with you. When the MD said we were chasing two players I did not have this in mind. This board would be at home in North Korea at the moment!!
0

Cloddyseedbed added 20:14 - Aug 25 Can't believe this is even being discussed and treated as a serious proposition. In Berra and Smith in the centre we are not in my opinion blessed with speed anyhow and now we are being linked with a 35 year old that passed his best season's ago. Like many I would like a Chambers/Berra central partnership with hopefully a right fullback as good as the left back we now have in the side. In fairness to Tommy Smith he is always having to come over and rescue Chambers when he's got beat on a regular basis and Tommy is so not right footed. Berra too would look half the player he is if he was asked to play on the right of defence.

1

BrettenhamBlue added 06:46 - Aug 26 Unlike most others here, I think Dunne would be a good addition to the squad. He's got a good amount of experience and if he could be signed on a player/coach contract he would be a solid new member for our backline. Facts are facts. Most of our U21 defenders are not ready for first team football, and those that are (keyworth, Emmanuel) could do with some guidance. Dunne has proved himself in the Premier League and in International Football. He has 80 caps for the Rep of Ireland and must know MM quite well already. John Terry still plays for Chelsea at the age of 34 so age should not really be an issue (its obvious Dunne isn't going to be signed on a 5-year contract etc). If we can sign him on ok wages, it would be a sensible signing for our team. By Xmas we are going to need the numbers.

0

commuterblue added 07:09 - Aug 26 useful backup if fit. obviously not going to be first choice.
0

GiveusaWave added 07:35 - Aug 26 agree with commuterblue and pauljewellisagod good backup player if fit. He isn't first choice and will command a place in the u21 team until he is ready for first team action (inevitable injuries etc). Shocked and saddened by some of the comments here. Seasoned Professional with a wealth of experience who can guide some of the others. Useful player to have in the squad. Most QPR fans are surprised that he wasn't given a new 1 year contract as he's still got great positional sense, strength and he can read the game well.

0

GiveusaWave added 07:36 - Aug 26 awful photo btw. Deserves a caption competition
0

scunnyblue added 12:30 - Aug 26 Only way i would be keen on him if it was a player/coach kinda deal. Actually Coach/player kinda deal. with the focus on the coaching.
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls