Free agent former Ireland international striker Leon Best is on trial with the Blues and starts for Town’s U23s in this afternoon’s first home game of the season against Birmingham at Playford Road (KO 1pm).

The 29-year-old was with Rotherham last season and scored against the Blues in the Millers' 1-0 victory at Portman Road in March.

Much-travelled Best, who was released by the South Yorkshire club at the end of 2015/16, was recently in talks with League One Port Vale but the League One club confirmed that the deal had broken down at the end of last week.

Prior to his time with the Millers, Best spent time with Notts County as a youngster before moving to Southampton's youth set-up from the Magpies like David McGoldrick.

The pair were both in the Saints U18s side the Blues defeated in the 2005 FA Youth Cup final.

Best, who is 6ft 1in tall, subsequently moved on to QPR (loan), Sheffield Wednesday (three loans), Yeovil (loan), Bournemouth (loan), Coventry, Newcastle, Blackburn, Derby (loan) and Brighton (loan) before joining Rotherham in November 2015. Last season he scored four goals in 10 starts and six sub appearances.

The Nottingham-born frontman has won seven full Ireland caps in addition to making appearances at U17, U19 and U21 levels.

Speaking on talkSPORT earlier today, manager Mick McCarthy, who is at this afternoon's game with assistant Terry Connor, said he has adding a couple of players in his sights before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, who would be loanees or out of contract players.

U23s: Crowe, Emmanuel, Kenlock, Blanchfield Digby, T Smith, Varney, McDonnell, Best, Dozzell, McLoughlin. Subs: Robinson, Marsden, C Smith, Patterson, Morris.

Photo: Action Images

ericclacton added 14:01 - Aug 22 He gave Smith & Berra the runaround playing for Rotherham, you ask anybody, you ask me!!!!
2

Brownie added 14:05 - Aug 22 Gamble time as it always will be when we won't spend decent money. Be honest do any of us know what he would be like? MM record decent with transfers but for every Tyrone Mings there is a Giles Coke. Best can play but his injury record is poor & having so many clubs at age of 29 is a worry.
1

Wickets added 14:23 - Aug 22 2 good signings and a good loan so far, now we need a good striker and a great midfielder. Well i can dream!
1

Wallingford_Boy added 14:27 - Aug 22 He was shocking at Rotherham and nowhere near Champ standard. NO.
0

chorltonskylineblue added 14:31 - Aug 22 I've always thought he was a good striker when I've seen him play. He scored against us last season and got 4 goals in 10 starts and 6 sub apps for a struggling Rotherham last season. Doesn't seem too bad to me. His goalscoring record seems to be about 1:4 for most of his clubs. As for the number of clubs, a lot were loans. He's had 5 main clubs, which isn't bad for a 29 year old in today's game. Think you also have to take into account that there are no more loan windows, so if another striker gets injured, our options are reduced. I'd rather see a decent ball playing midfielder because I'm not sure if Teddy is up to the rigours of a full Championship season yet, although I thought he was fab for his last 20 mins in the derby game yesterday. But I won't complain about a new striker and a midfielder. I guess Port Vale missed out because of his likely wage demands. Not clear from this: http://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2016/08/smurthwaite-vale-miss-out-on-signing-leon-be He will have been on hefty wages at Blackburn & Newcastle I'd imagine. Unlikely to be demanding similar here.

3

Currie10 added 14:32 - Aug 22 I assume you saw him at Rotherham did you Wallingford? I recall a lot of people calling Ward crap and " why are we signing someone on loan from Rotherham too..............
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BigHibbs added 14:39 - Aug 22 He was brilliant against us last year for Rotherham, has a premier league hattrick under his belt ? Why not give him a go I'm assuming small wages. Sears out of form wide or up top in the 31 he hasn't scored 13 been up top. Mcgoldrick injured murph I love but isn't going to be able to play 46 , why not give him a go ? Just get behind the new signings
1

Wallingford_Boy added 14:46 - Aug 22 Currie10 - I saw a few Rotherham games last season, including the 2 v us, so yes I did. But as I say, have two mates who live up there and go all the time, so asked their opinions, which oddly I listen to more than yours when it comes to their players.
1

runningout added 14:52 - Aug 22 we don't seem to be realising our obvious booboo's from past half fit make weights, and five minute wonders, that we have signed in the past year
1

Currie10 added 14:56 - Aug 22 Fair shout Wallingford - have to see I suppose. Likewise not thrilled but if he can play left in a front 3 then I'm open to it.
1

poldark added 15:07 - Aug 22 Terrible the news just gets worse Best Varney my god what a manager and what a chairman please please get out of ITFC McCarthys signings have been some of the worst in our history even Keane and Jewell didn't get so much rubbish must be costing us millions
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jrobot added 15:08 - Aug 22 Hmmm does he tick micks boxes ... Irish ? yes Tall? yes Over 30 ? not yet, nearly Can he head the ball ? yes sign him.
1

bluey123 added 15:09 - Aug 22 For goodness sake what next talk about scraping the barrel
1

jrobot added 15:09 - Aug 22 does mick using scouting reports from championshipo manager 2003 ?
2

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 15:11 - Aug 22 Hmmm. Underwhelmed, but if he comes, I'll support him.
1

spanishblue added 15:15 - Aug 22 2 things hes Irish,and scores 1 in five games does anybody at ipswich score 1 in 5 probably not there never fit that long
1

battyblue added 15:26 - Aug 22 Your Jokin he was'nt in the bottom of the barrel he fell through the crack and was underneath.
1

NoelTheDub added 15:26 - Aug 22 If we sign this player I can see already Leon will be the Best winger on our team. Mick wont play him up top with Murf.As we have seen on sunday out main treats Sears and Ward were like fullbacks because we give the bloody ball away so cheaply.We cant string 2 or 3 passes together and because of this our players have to defend for most of the game we can all see this except our manager.

1

battyblue added 15:28 - Aug 22 Should have kept Marriot plonker.
0

SE1blue added 15:38 - Aug 22 Hmmmm, I dunno battyblue, I think Marriot Plonker was overrated and, at a guess, his shirt sales would have been really disappointing.
1

warktheline added 15:58 - Aug 22 His high ratio of clubs tells its own story! I've been highly critical of McCarthy for some 12 months, but putting all aside, jeez, does the man really have to continually look at cast offs to keep this club clued together.....Marcus Evans, words fail me!
1

warktheline added 16:03 - Aug 22 .....when McCarthy writes his autobiography I shall be first in line to buy, don't think our club will come out of it smelling of roses!
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dubblue added 16:10 - Aug 22 Ok we need a spare striker, not convinced he is the solution. Are there are any other potential loanees out there? Is it a case that Best is better than nothing?
1

degausser added 16:11 - Aug 22 Leon Best's Neon Vest
1

Bluetone added 16:17 - Aug 22 Once more no Cameron Stewart. Once McCarthy has the knife in it stays there and that is one reason he will never be more than an average, at best, championship level manager.
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