Central defender Gareth McAuley could be the second former Town skipper to return to Portman Road this week with the Blues eyeing a move for 38-year-old.

According to Football Insider, Town are leading the chase for McAuley, a free agent having left West Brom at the end of last season, ahead of Rangers.

TWTD understands that McAuley is indeed among the central defenders the Blues are looking at signing but with other candidates also still under consideration ahead of Friday's 5pm deadline.

Manager Paul Hurst said yesterday that Blackpool’s Curtis Tilt is now “very unlikely” to join Town but AFC Wimbledon skipper Deji Oshilaja is understood to remain a target.

Northern Ireland international McAuley made 126 starts and one sub appearance for the Blues between June 2008 and May 2011.

The Larne-born defender joined the Blues from Leicester for £1.1 million and moved on to West Brom having turned down a new Town contract.

Photo: Action Images

MaySixth added 13:17 - Aug 30 LOL
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StuartBrett8 added 13:18 - Aug 30 Anymore ex-blues? Tabby? E's great is Tabby ;)
10

xiwrighty7x added 13:20 - Aug 30 I'll take him!!
5

Colin1946 added 13:20 - Aug 30 Good news great defender
6

runningout added 13:21 - Aug 30 blimey
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DJpatrovers1 added 13:23 - Aug 30 Again same as walters, be a great had to have around the club and he knows the club so well too. if he was to sign until the end of the season, again the age doesn't bother me as he evidently wont be playing week in week out. Why not?
5

JoHnNnY added 13:24 - Aug 30 With a faster younger CB next to him, this is not a bad punt - positioning and organisational experience.
5

JackSted added 13:24 - Aug 30 WTF is going on looool. Feels like it's 2010 again
6

dirtydingusmagee added 13:25 - Aug 30 he could still do a job ,and other team members could benefit from his experience, however i think it would be a brave move on his part to return as he was often slated by some fans ,and i fear the same fans would soon be on his case when inevitable mistakes happen .
1

TraktorBoyz added 13:25 - Aug 30 Oshilaja would be a lot better long term they looked realy well organized against West ham with ten men. 38 is he going to be up to it can't just take players for experience.
1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:26 - Aug 30 Looks as if Paul is determined to get SOMEONE in at least. McCauley might be a good short-term solution.
3

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:26 - Aug 30 *McAuley!
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BaddowBlue1 added 13:26 - Aug 30 Free Agent, experience to help Woolfy and Toto plus can play right back. Never let us. Sign him up
4

Kirbmeister added 13:29 - Aug 30 Can we also get Kevin Beattie in? He's not that much older and he's class!
6

Elwood added 13:29 - Aug 30 Imagine we had kept faith in Jim Magilton, with his two best signings, we may not have spent so long in the wilderness.
12

ThatMuhrenCross added 13:31 - Aug 30 With all the young, inexperienced players we have in the squad at present, experienced players who know the club like McAuley and Walters would be worth their weight in gold. Get them in.
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 13:31 - Aug 30 Yes please still a great defender for his age and scores goals
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Pilgrimblue added 13:32 - Aug 30 Not impressed at all with Hurst. He should have got Tilt and now is getting desperate. Surely Delaney would be better as he's left CB. In any event, I'd put Woolfy in on Sunday if Toto is suspended.
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NITFC added 13:32 - Aug 30 This is an unbelievable and sudden change of direction if we sign both of these ex players. Completely the opposite of the strategy from the past couple of months. Is it the right move? Time will tell but it looks a bit of a panic measure to me right now.
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BrettenhamBlue added 13:33 - Aug 30 Can you imagine if we sign up McAuley, Walters and Wickham before the Derby game? Now that'd bring in a full stadium.
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Horseboy added 13:34 - Aug 30 Terrible terrible recruitment this summer
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OwainG1992 added 13:34 - Aug 30 The best thing about potentially getting Gareth and Walters are the lack of leaders we currently have out on the pitch! Let's make it happen.
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martin587 added 13:37 - Aug 30 As much as I still rate Gareth I do worry if his age will be against him now especially if up against a pacer striker. Yes,his experience would be great but for pace,not for me. I would much prefer us to bring in a younger CB with the possibility of a January signing. Sorry Gareth,as much as I still rate you your pace would worry me and it would put more pressure on your defence to cover for you.

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Green_Army added 13:37 - Aug 30
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shortmarine1969 added 13:41 - Aug 30 He,s 38..!! he will get done over by anybody with pace..!! no thanks..Robert Huth and John Collins are both on free and at 32 (I think) Huth is a much better bet,
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