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

Swn98 added 14:41 - Jan 6 How a few hard truths hurt Dirty.
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cat added 14:42 - Jan 6 Smith is quite simply not good enough. It's easy to get carried away with the romance of his one of our own, but in reality there's to many gaffs and he's a hoof merchant. There again, so is Chambers.
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 14:44 - Jan 6 We're already short in the CB position and have an injury prone Webster, so letting him go and replacing him with a loan player that is dependent on their parent club getting in cover (wasn't it the same story in the summer??) is just plain bonkers. Smith and Webster would form a great partnership for years given time and training. But has to be under someone else other than Mc-hoof-Carthy. The club has lost all direction.

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Bildestoned added 14:45 - Jan 6 Cor blimey Guv'nor an' no mistake, what a lot of hot air around a player who's bin on the flippin' fringes for yonks. Based on some of the 'reasoning' in this thread Micky Stockwell would still be in the squad! Everything is going to be alright; it always is. Mind you, I have had a lot of sex this Christmas so my thinking could be skewed.
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loyal_Blue added 14:45 - Jan 6 Is mick trying to destroy a sinking ship before he gets off
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warktheline added 14:52 - Jan 6 @swn, if that be the case then answer the following , why didn't Evans reinvest into McCarthy's play-off side?
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warktheline added 14:55 - Jan 6 ....also it wasn't so long ago that you remarked fans opinions on forum held little or no sway !
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nysully added 14:55 - Jan 6 Wish him luck, he sees writing on the wall, CBs coming through the Academy and his playing time will continue to dwindle. You can see why he wants to go, in the short term we could use him but in the long term he is not part of the plans
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braveblue added 14:55 - Jan 6 So having failed last window to do a deal with Brighton our plan is the same. Genius.
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liam88 added 14:57 - Jan 6 Am I I the only one who's excited by this
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Nazemariner added 14:57 - Jan 6 Looks like the decks are being for next seasons new manager. I'd have him in the side, but the Mick disagrees, and it's hard to argue that he should be ahead of either Chambers or Webster. This is likely to be the nail in Micks coffin when it comes to fans who attend games, but I would think this is very much Tommy's desire for 1st team football that has bought about a move, and Mick has shown that he will always move on players who don't want to be here. Good luck Tommy, you've been a loyal servant and you will be missed.

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Kirbmeister added 14:58 - Jan 6 Keep your wigs on everyone, it's a no-brainier for him. Have the chance to play in the USA or carry on not playing for Ipswich? Irrespective of whether he's in Mick's plans or not, he's be a fool not to go.
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Blue_Moses added 14:59 - Jan 6 Told you all the other week he was told by Mick that he's 5 choice...
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jas0999 added 15:02 - Jan 6 We haven't replaced Berra yet ... so surely we need two new CBs particularly considering Webster's injury problems and record? Loans are all well and good, but at this rate, come the Summer, will we even have a team left when they all leave? Poor stuff. Surprising decision. Has Evans given up?
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Lightningboy added 15:03 - Jan 6 Bit of a strange move and will be a shame to see our longest serving player go but let's be honest,he hasn't been at the top of his game for 2 or 3 seasons now and is too good to be sat on our bench..hopefully we can get a fee.
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cantona11 added 15:05 - Jan 6 This is un-real to think that Chambers is in front of any of our defender and Iorfa playing when we sent Emmanuel out on loan he was alright and was only going to get better he didn't have a bad game but again MM didn't like him and he's one of our own I just hope he has sent our youngster out on loan to come back and get in the first team Wickenden,Fowler,C Smith and Webber on the bench today all very good and will get better I'd put Knudsen in the middle and play Kenlock aswell

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warktheline added 15:07 - Jan 6 Loanee Town FC! Ruddy embarrassing and shoddy way to run a football club! Evans, bloody jog on you capitalist !
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cantona11 added 15:07 - Jan 6 *Wolfenden
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TimmyH added 15:09 - Jan 6 Tommy Smith never been good enough?! (as quoted by 1 or 2 above posts) BUT Luke Chambers has been!?!...REALLY? don't forget Chambers and Smith by and large were at the heart of the defence the first couple of seasons or so Mick was here and then Chambers went to RB and was NEVER good enough there and has returned to CB after a few seasons and doesn't look any better either...so in theory Chambers should go as well? Oh I forgot one of Mick's never to be dropped pals.

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TimmyH added 15:14 - Jan 6 He hasn't been at the top of his game as simply he's become surplus to requirements since we bought Webster and that accompanied by niggling back injuries so he's hardly had a run of games to get his form back over the last season or so.
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CBMTOBWMMBG added 15:14 - Jan 6 I like that we are rebuilding. It is clearly right to do so and shows ambition. More old / injury plagued players out please, bring in the youngsters.
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Hegansheroes added 15:18 - Jan 6 Great move for TS, never given a fair crack by the dinosaur, how can Chambers get in the side before him, don't think MM ever liked him. At least Smith will get the chance to play football instead of hoofball.
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Vancouver_Blue added 15:22 - Jan 6 MLS is not a very good league, I should know I am a STH at Vancouver Whitecaps, its League 1 at best. And Colorado do not dp very well with crowds as they are an hour outside of Denver. Tommys NZ GK is at Vancouver, so loads of Kiwis moving over here
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Hegansheroes added 15:22 - Jan 6 Just looked at Colorado Rapids schedule, Tommy will get to go to LA,, New York etc, bit better than Barnsley or more likely Scunthorpe if what's happening at ITFC continues
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Northstandveteran added 15:23 - Jan 6 Is there one player in the squad (Bart excluded) that is really up to the standards of our beloved club? Clear them out along with the manager so next season we can start afresh with a new leader with a new philosophy with his own men. There really isn't anyone at the club that I'd be sad to see the back of.
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