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

jas0999 added 16:39 - Aug 22 Would be a signing lacking in ambition and done for cheapness.
3

Popeye added 16:44 - Aug 22 He's had more loans than wonga!
3

RYITFC added 18:11 - Aug 22 If we didn't sign Varney last week, then i agree he'd be a decent option (given the Mcgoldrick injury) but the fact is Mick signed Varney with a view that he would be decent cover. If he doesn't think he's up to it then don't sign him. If we signed Best we'd have 6 centre forwards plus Morris & only 2 wide players Ward & Grant( as Stewart clearly isn't in his thinking). Just feels like we're going to end up with another sqaud of players with 4 or 5 being surplus to requirement!

1

Jimmy86 added 18:45 - Aug 22 Don't get all the negativity surrounding Best. He is still the right side of 3 and is strong and powerful, with pace. His goals help keep Rotherham up last season and he's gone for some decent fees. Blackburn spent 3 million on him a while back and in my eyes he's decent enough at this level, especially with TC at the club
0

Lightningboy added 19:50 - Aug 22 How long til we get Connor Sammon back?
2

Seasider added 22:01 - Aug 22 Agree Bluetone,cannot understand why he does not give Cameron Stuart a bit of time on the pitch for the first team.Seems to be a bit petty that.
3

midastouch added 02:09 - Aug 23 Everybody deserves a second chance. Stewart was said to turn up for pre-season training in good shape and looking hungry. Surely he could of at least been given a game in the League Cup to give him an opportunity to impress? If he got given a few run outs from the bench and didn't do much then fair enough, time to move on. However, it seems a waste that we're still paying his wages, nobody else wants him, so we might as well stick him in the team to see what he can do. He might just be so hungry to impress in order to put himself in the shop window he might do some damage to other teams. We might as well try and get something out of him this season given it increasingly looks like he'll be on his way in the Summer.

3

carsey added 08:24 - Aug 23 The fact other clubs have taken him on for a short period then let him go tells me all I need to know. Not worth wasting time and money on. Would rather see one of our own kids out there. At least he would care about the club and the team rather than see it as another easy pay cheque.
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braveblue added 12:37 - Aug 23 Please not more failed players.
0

TimmyH added 17:08 - Aug 23 Good lord...where's the ambition?
2

algarvefan added 23:48 - Aug 23 Serious point, Tommy Smith! Ian Marshall did it, Richard Naylor did it. The boy finishes well with his head and feet. Come on Mick the answer could be right under your Barnsley nose!!!!
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