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

ArnieM added 22:19 - Jan 9 Lol
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blueboy1981 added 22:21 - Jan 9 Evans and Lambert are obviously doing all they can to get players in and try and starve off the inevitable. For crying out loud give them both some slack for that. Call yourself SUPPORTERS ........ ?? - you're joking.
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runaround added 22:25 - Jan 9 If Collins gets fit would be worth a punt on a short term basis. I hear what people are saying at being underwhelmed by our transfer business thus far this window but remember many deals don't happen till the end of the window & if, hopefully, we are to sign a better option such as Marshall it's likely to be right at the end of the month
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:27 - Jan 9 Blueboy is that you 🤔?
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Gcon added 22:46 - Jan 9 Evans Out
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marinerswagepacket added 23:00 - Jan 9 theres alot of people on here you need a reality check , no 1 Evan's wont pay big wages , No 2 how many of you would come here if you were supporters of Ipswich, no3 , if he can stay fit he will bring experience, leadership to our defence , if Collins signs , welcone to Ipswich town , good signing
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jackson added 23:08 - Jan 9 Spence makes way too many individual errors. He's cost us endless lost points and im sure PL was referring to him when he spoke of players being "simply not good enough". Collins looks a real piece of work, but age is catching up with him by way of injuries, so how about that guy from Blackpool who ME was too tight fisted to buy in the summer - or is it now out of the question to talk of actually BUYING players ?

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Bloodblue added 23:34 - Jan 9 Yes please, if he can stay fit for the run in. Far better than any of the current back four. At least let's go down fighting. Come on you lot that have completely given up. The players and manager need us right now more than ever before, irrelevant of us going down. The more we can get behind the lads, especially Lambert, he's more likely to stay. #keepthefaithnevergiveup

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stiffy501 added 00:05 - Jan 10 Look, what we have now is going nowhere but down to league 1 , so let's just give these new players a break and hope they can help us out, cause we need all the luck and help we can get ! !
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TonyHumesIpswich added 00:16 - Jan 10 Fans haven't given up, but the club has.
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Bluesparx added 02:43 - Jan 10 Yes please and as far as the RB position goes, id rather kenlock switched sides the spence play
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GiveusaWave added 03:02 - Jan 10 Let's give the new players a chance to play a few games before we pass judgement.....
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Saxonblue74 added 06:29 - Jan 10 Good to see some of the dreamers on here balanced with a little realism and enthusiasm! "We need to sort the defence" is the cry yet as soon as we're linked with an experienced CB and half tidy RB that's not good enough either! Best we do absolutely nothing in this window and stick with what you've all been moaning about all season hey? Because let's face it, if we sign someone they might get injured, or might not turn out to be a world beater!

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martin587 added 06:39 - Jan 10 We need experience to help balance the team and the players Paul has managed to bring in so far I'm sure will do a very good job. Great shame we lost Pilkington but so be it,we move on.Collins is a very tough reliable defender and although a little older than most (that's if we manage to sign him) will be a very capable addition to the defence. I have full confidence in Paul and anybody he signs is fine by me.We Must avoid relegation at all costs.Its all hands to the pump lads. Now really looking forward to the Rotherham game and just hope we have a big gate and the supporters as usual make a lot of noise,it can be worth a goal start.🤞COYB

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Dissboyitfc added 07:31 - Jan 10 If he can stay fit, fingers crossed! he will be exactly the type of signing we need for these final 20 games. I know it looks bad, really bad and if things don't miraculously change we are down! But here's the thing, we as supporters should not give up only 3 games into the second half of the season! I am glad PL hasn't given up, a good run is not likely, but it is even more unlikely if nobody tries including us, we have nothing left to lose the odds are stacked against us, can we just go down fighting please! Accepting we are down(before we mathematically are) will achieve nothing good! I know one thing, i now look forward to games more than i ever did under MM. COYB's

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ShropshireBluenago09 added 08:05 - Jan 10 Fantastic if true. It's a shame we have had to wait another 3 months after initially turning us down. If he staytfit we will have a great asset in the fight to stay up
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beornioblue added 08:33 - Jan 10 is the guy were looking at for RB any good i personally know nothing about him apart from the yellow stain on his career haha I still think Collins could do a stability job here tbh and would welcome him lets just hope he can remain fit COYB
2

BullardsMagicMullet added 08:34 - Jan 10 Depends on his body, if fit he could be a decent short term deal as he puts his body on the line for the team and will be the organiser in the back 4.
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phil_itfc_brown added 08:35 - Jan 10 This would be a great signing if he stays fit, a true leader at the back and gives his all!!
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Bergholtblue added 09:26 - Jan 10 I just can't see him lasting the rest of the season unfortunately
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Kingfisher49 added 09:28 - Jan 10 Why not sign Darren Bent on a short term contract also. He has a bit of passion about the club and can certainly score goals. Plus he would not clog up the already overloaded loan numbers we have.
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Gcon added 09:36 - Jan 10 TonyHumes. I beg to differ, reading comments both fans and club have given up. The Evans apologists are out in force. He has killed this club. Just watched Sunderland Till I Die on Netflix. A club killed off by a disinterested, unsupportive owner. Get real folks, and stop the apathy.
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BobbyBell added 10:01 - Jan 10 Come on ME spend something on just one decent player. All these deals seem to be bargain basement again.
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:24 - Jan 10 investment should have been made long ago,before we reached this stage, it wasnt and we cant do anything about it. For those who keep wanting a big name, big names cost big money, IF Evans did splash the cash now, what big name would jump at the chance to join a club almost certainly facing relegation ? Paul Lambert will be doing his best, who knows what Evans is doing.. But one thing for sure is ,the horse bolted a long time ago, no good clammering to shut the stable door now .IF and its now a huge IF we pull off a miracle and stay up, then is the time to expect the big changes and investment if we are not to go through same struggle again .BUT NOW, we have to trust Paul Lambert and back whoever he brings in . Desperate signings they may seem ,but these ARE desperate times .

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Razor added 10:33 - Jan 10 Are we actually going to SPEND ANY MONEY!?
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