TWTD understands Blues defender Tommy Smith is close to joining MLS side the Colorado Rapids.

Smith, 27, joined Town at 16 after moving from New Zealand and has been a regular for much of his time at Portman Road, but has largely been behind skipper Luke Chambers and Adam Webster this season.

The All Whites international will not be involved in this afternoon’s FA Cup third round tie against Sheffield United at Portman Road with the move likely to go through this week.

Smith has made 251 starts and 17 sub appearances for Town, scoring 23 goals.

Colorado are managed by Anthony Hudson, who was New Zealand boss until November.

Yesterday, manager Mick McCarthy revealed that the Blues had made a loan enquiry to Brighton regarding centre-half Connor Goldson, who was close to joining Town in August.

The 25-year-old seems likely to join the Blues once the Seagulls have added another defender to their squad.

Meanwhile, we understand Crystal Palace have cooled in their pursuit of Blues keeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

Talks between the clubs have continued throughout the week but with no agreement reached regarding the overall package.

It’s believed the Eagles have turned their attention to one of their other targets with McCarthy having confirmed their interest yesterday, revealing they have a list of at least six potential targets yesterday.

Photo: TWTD

Tufty added 13:59 - Jan 6 Dont need to sell any players so lets get rid of anyone thats any good Good luck Tommy hope your joining a proper football club not a bunch of amateurs
10

NoelTheDub added 14:04 - Jan 6 I been keeping very quiet all season happy with Garner and Waghorn singings did say they will get goals in this league i also said we will win 1 and lose 2 or draw the odd 1 type of season not to far off that prediction.Getting back to Smith leaving I have the answer Cole Skuse to the rescue straight in at CB.. Good luck today lads anyway..
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tractorshark added 14:05 - Jan 6 Poldark, your definition of idiot differs from mine. Smith is not as good as Webster or Chambers, that's why he hasn't played. That and the fact he was injured. Up until this season, he has played regularly to the detriment of Chambers, who had to move to right back. If you want my definition of idiot, please look in the mirror.
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blueherts added 14:05 - Jan 6 I think i know where i would rather live .
3

StavangerBlue added 14:08 - Jan 6 If this is true I am gutted. Tommy is a club stalwart. What is going on? Where are ME and MM taking us?
4

poldark added 14:09 - Jan 6 Sorry tractorshark my opinion stays you have your opinions I have mine which is much more the opinion of anyone who loves ITFC just not this regime
4

BlueBlood90 added 14:09 - Jan 6 This is a ridiculous decision. Our defence is poor enough without losing Tommy. And why would we replace him with another loanee? I honestly get the feeling that McCarthy wants this club to fall apart because he's leaving in May and doesn't like the fans. How good would he look next season when McGoldrick, Bart, etc all leave and the new manager won 't have money to replace them and probably struggle. Get him out.

5

BlueandTruesince82 added 14:11 - Jan 6 Ok..... what the hell is going on....? Tommy is pure blue and I think has much more to offer. Our defence is already fragile, assume we are about to sign Smalling on loan to add depth then....? No? Then WTF! Moore fine, we have better strikers Bart, if he wants to go and we get decent money, not ideal byt understand. This is stupid and should not happen (at all really) until Goldson has signed...... Not at the ground, not having a medical, signed, paperwork lodged and stamped. Assume there is a fee?

3

BlueandTruesince82 added 14:11 - Jan 6 Ok..... what the hell is going on....? Tommy is pure blue and I think has much more to offer. Our defence is already fragile, assume we are about to sign Smalling on loan to add depth then....? No? Then WTF! Moore fine, we have better strikers Bart, if he wants to go and we get decent money, not ideal byt understand. This is stupid and should not happen (at all really) until Goldson has signed...... Not at the ground, not having a medical, signed, paperwork lodged and stamped. Assume there is a fee?

2

shiminywho added 14:11 - Jan 6 We'd all love to see a team of Tommy Smiths - not a team of Connor Goldsons. I despair.
4

dirtydingusmagee added 14:12 - Jan 6 just had to check my calendar .........IT ISNT APRIL 1st , wtf is going on .
4

dirtydingusmagee added 14:14 - Jan 6 bluebear you missed out ,with.
0

lightingblue added 14:17 - Jan 6 Is anybody in the crowd wearing a replica kit. There are enough spare boots to wear!!!! Fancy a game you lot.
5

RaymondovicBlue added 14:17 - Jan 6 Gutted. Tommy has (had) really come on these past few years and he made the fading fast Berra look good on several occasions - especially as Tommy was the one good enough to play "on the wrong side" .... I agree with many that he was a possible future captain.... Have to assume that Tommy was very keen to go and he and Mick got tetchy OR he knows his career will be shortened by his injuries and wants a few years of top dollar ... There is no way this is a positive move for the squad....

6

dirtydingusmagee added 14:18 - Jan 6 I said a few weeks ago things will get worse and transfer window will bring more disappointment , got slapped down by the usual suspects ,the H C ,s .
3

tractorshark added 14:18 - Jan 6 Poldark, you are entitled to your opinion but don't insinuate I am idiotic because I don't share yours. And don't suggest I don't love the club any less because I disagree with you. I live 100 miles away and have attended regularly since the early 80s. I haven't questioned your love or loyalty to the club, don't question mine. And, as I stated originally, I don't agree with selling Smith and replacing with a loanee. McCarthy's time is up, I do agree with you on that

1

liam88 added 14:20 - Jan 6 Evans is selling everything getting ready for the new man But it does also ring alarm bells of cashing in on everything before he does a runner
6

bbg added 14:21 - Jan 6 Though no one could doubt his commitment to the club or his physical commitment on the pitch, he has not proven himself a top championship CB. If he had other championship clubs would have come in for him.. Lack of pace can be compensated by good reading of the game and unfortunately his reading of situations hasn't shown sufficient improvement. Webber looks like he is improving as a LCB and is a decent distributor, but unlikely to be ready for the first team. Knudsen has done well in that position also. Chambers is 33 this year and could be moving to a coaching position in the not too distant future, so a couple of CB's could soon be required.

1

RaymondovicBlue added 14:22 - Jan 6 Didn't Tommy have a rough ride in relationship with the New Zealand Manager who will now be his new boss?
0

yocal_lad added 14:23 - Jan 6 Absolutely gutted if this goes through! Wtf are the club playing at, are they trying to turn the fans away!
3

dirtydingusmagee added 14:26 - Jan 6 even the cleaners must be getting jittery ! is ''the faceless one'' off to South America !
4

gamezone added 14:26 - Jan 6 Highest paid players were told they needed to go. Smith and Didz highest paid, can't see him going just married and his Mrs family just moved to Suffolk to be near them.
1

Swn98 added 14:32 - Jan 6 Unfortunately this is partly to do with those stay away so called supporters (bluebore and Warktheline)to name but 2 lost revenue has to be made up somehow. if you look for the conspiracy theory could MM be doing it on purpose as hes not here next season i wonder. Its what alot of so called fans deserve.
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dirtydingusmagee added 14:36 - Jan 6 Swn you really excel at talking b####x spare us. You are really so far up your own trouser leg,you honestly think you are the only real ITFC supporter .
7

62WasBest added 14:37 - Jan 6 A good servant of the club and an odd time to be letting him go, but really never has been good enough. That said, he's not the only one in that category.
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