Former Town trialist James Collins is reportedly close to joining the Blues.

According to West Ham site KUMB, veteran centre-half Collins has agreed to sign a short-term contract at Portman Road.

TWTD understands there is something in the report, although the move has not gone as far as claimed.

In September, TWTD revealed that free agent Collins, 35, who was released by the Hammers last summer, was training with the Town squad.

He was subsequently offered a contract by former boss Paul Hurst but after he suffered a hamstring injury the proposed move broke down and he joined Aston Villa, one of his former clubs, on trial.

The former Wales international then signed a short-term deal with Villa but after picking up a calf injury ripped up his contract.

Current Town boss Paul Lambert has said he wants to add experience to all areas of his squad during January and Collins would certainly fit the bill as he looks to strengthen the Blues defence.

Meanwhile, Town reportedly remain interested in loaning Norwich winger or right-back Ben Marshall, who previously played for Lambert at Blackburn and Wolves.

The 27-year-old, who was linked with Town in December, is understood to be on Town's list of potential targets, however, other players able to operate in similar roles are also under consideration.

Photo: Action Images

itsonlyme added 20:41 - Jan 9 Let's hope he doesn't get injured walking onto the pitch !
3

jas0999 added 20:42 - Jan 9 Good player, but riddled with injury issue. Also turned us down before.
5

tractorboyjim added 20:44 - Jan 9 Words fail me. Not because Collins might not be able to add something but if the transfer rumours and signings to date are anything to go by ME has given up. This great leagacy and history of this club deserves that - as improbable as it seems - we go down with a bloody fight. Feel very, very sorry for Lambert and the squad as a whole if this is the case.
15

cbITFC added 20:46 - Jan 9 Another body on the treatment room
-1

ForeverBlueSince1996 added 20:53 - Jan 9 Wouldn't be a bad signing. Some well needed experience in a very young team
9

alfromcol added 20:56 - Jan 9 When will some of you guys realise that star players are not available. We need a short term fix to keep us in the division, not players to win the Champions League. The players being signed, give us strength and experience, we have a fair degree of quality in the existing squad, but we need some strength. The players being signed have to be better than some of the dross we have seen so far this season surely? We can only trust in PL and hope he gets it right. Moaning on here adds nothing, except perhaps making individuals feel better.

31

Northstander_Blue added 20:57 - Jan 9 Get him in the more experience the better Not sure Ben Marshall will come here
3

NewEraNewMe added 20:57 - Jan 9 Baring in mind he DIDNT turn us down, he got injured and we retracted our offer, if he comes back and takes chambers out the side I wouldn't mind tbh but then again...ITS THE RB SLOT THAT NEEDS FILLING
8

rfretwell added 20:57 - Jan 9 You couldn't make it up! Ripped up his own contract due To injury! ME to Tom Adeyemi " .Tom, I'd just like a word in my office"
6

RobITFC added 21:01 - Jan 9 oh dear overaged , injury prone journeyman, haven't we learnt our lesson!
2

blueinscotland added 21:01 - Jan 9 Think I'd probably take Collins over Chambers, although I'd prefer us to sign another full back in all honesty. Not too sure I can see the Marshall link materialising. Would surely be illogical for our fiercest rivals to loan us a player who could potentially strengthen our survival bid.
1

Clarkey82 added 21:10 - Jan 9 Do people not realise, with all the money Evans could chuck at this, in a lot of people's eyes, we are already relegated, who is going to want to sign for a team that will almost certainly be playing league one football next Season, that's not me being negative, that's me looking at it from a potential new player looking at Ipswich Town. I still hang on to the glimmer of hope that mr Lambert can keep us up. I honestly believe these are the only calibre of player he can attract at the moment and have to trust his judgement.

8

Woodbridgian added 21:10 - Jan 9 Jas... Turned down Hurst rather than the club which if nothing else means he's got a brain
13

busterjames1 added 21:13 - Jan 9 Joan Collins would be a better bet !!
-1

ArnieM added 21:22 - Jan 9 Yes he maybe injury prone. But by Christ do we need some older experienced heads at the moment . But please let's get Carter Vickers back here.
15

rgp1 added 21:26 - Jan 9 We may need a subs bench in the treatment room!
-1

nysully added 21:28 - Jan 9 Two words, Mark Fish
-1

Warkys_Tash added 21:28 - Jan 9 Great experience, tough rugged CB, the kind we need but is he fit enough? IS he going to be our 'Tony Mowbray' or 'Mark Fish'?? Time will tell.
5

BlueandTruesince82 added 21:31 - Jan 9 Great.... if fit.... with our luck? Marshall, painful as it would be I would take, much prefered to Spence for me
5

Treacle added 21:32 - Jan 9 What about Steven Caulker, 27 and Premier league experience. Free since leaving Dundee in September.
5

CanadianBlue added 21:51 - Jan 9 So we potentially could have: GK: Bart/Gerk DR: Spence/Donacien DC: Chambers/Nsiala/Pennington/Collins DL: Knudsen/Elders/Kenlock CM: Downes/Chalobah/Skuse/Nydam/Huws/Dozzell/Adeyemi/Bishop AML/AMR: Edwards/Rowe/Quaner/Dawkins/Lankester ST: Sears/Jackson/Keane/Harrison Quite obvious our issues are the DR, DC and ST positions. Hope we bring back Emmanuel and Woolfenden, then find a ST that can hit the back of the net.

0

Dissboyitfc added 22:05 - Jan 9 yes to collins and an even bigger yes to Marshall.
8

blueboy1981 added 22:13 - Jan 9 Super critics extrodinaires ........... if I were Lambert I'd get the hell out of the place, and leave all you wingers to stew in your own juice. Some of you haven't an understanding at all of REALISM or REALITY. When will you people GET REAL and realise what we are currently able to attract - god help Evans if he gave some of you a few £million to spend. You'd kill the Club off in a month completely.

14

dirtydingusmagee added 22:14 - Jan 9 arent there any players sidelined at BARCA or Real Madrid chomping at the bit to get game time in with us ? .........seriously chaps get a grip, we are in the s##t , THERE IS NO QUEUE of big name players we can rope in .
3

Taricco_Fan added 22:18 - Jan 9 Well we need an experienced head who has a clue about defending and can organise the back line. Age and injuries are a concern but that's where we are.
1

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