Town's signing of veteran central defender James Collins is expected to be completed on Friday with manager Paul Lambert having said the 35-year-old Welshman could go straight into the squad for Saturday’s crucial home game against Rotherham United.

News of the Blues’ interest in Collins, who was on trial at Playford Road in September under Paul Hurst before ultimately signing a short-term deal at his former club Aston Villa which he subsequently tore up without playing a game after picking up a calf injury, first broke last night.

“James would be a free, he’s training with us and even the guy’s physical presence in the place is great,” Lambert said about the ex-Wales international, who was released by West Ham last summer.

“We look a big side and I think we needed that physicality back in the side as well, plus [the new signings are] good players.

“James has come in and trained for the last few days, and has done really well. Has been training at West Ham for a long time. He knows the game, he’s experienced and he’s certainly strong enough to handle this.”

Could he be involved against the Millers? “I’ll see how he feels, he knows his own head and his own body. I’ll decide from there. First and foremost we have to sign him, that’s still taking place. We’ll see.

“They’re talking at the minute, I’m hopeful that something will be done by the end of the day.”

Collins would be Lambert’s fifth signing of the window but he confirmed he’s still looking for further additions.

“We’ll try and do something,” he added. “I can’t keep flooding the place with loan. I can’t have more any more than five in a matchday squad. That’s where the loan system falls down, and then you’ve got to manage them, which is a difficult thing itself, which is why the loan market isn’t something I really want to do.”

Photo: Action Images

fergalsharkey added 14:29 - Jan 10 Premiership here we come.
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ForeverBlueSince1996 added 14:32 - Jan 10 Regardless of what most people are saying I think this would be a good signing. Some much needed experience in a very inexperienced team
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Northstander_Blue added 14:32 - Jan 10 Much needed experience
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thorpie added 14:34 - Jan 10 Good signing if he keeps fit. lets hope he can iron out the mistakes at the back. Win on Saturday will keep me believing we can stay up! Can only get better :)
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Carrotblue added 14:39 - Jan 10 My West Ham friend thinks he is a good signing and will shore up our defence We need to do something
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OxtonBlue added 14:40 - Jan 10 Great news, quality player if he stays fit
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Cakeman added 14:40 - Jan 10 It will be interesting to see who's place he takes?
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MooseJuice added 14:42 - Jan 10 Good! We could do with a De Vos, McAuley, Matt Elliot type signing. Let's hope he has an impact anywhere near any of those aging centre backs we got in.
11

Steelmonkey added 14:44 - Jan 10 Happy to see this come about, what's the betting he takes Chambers central role and Chambers reverts to fightback if he signs.
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algarvefan added 14:45 - Jan 10 The jury is out on this one for me. I'd always have him on my side in a scrap and we are certainly in one of those. He is of course experienced at a high level and is a dogged and determined defender. His injury record is a matter of concern... see Johnny Walters. I hope is is fit and raring to go, but who will give way?
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BullardsMagicMullet added 14:45 - Jan 10 He will put a shift in and put his body on the line and add some much needed leadership on the pitch, you won't catch him trotting back into position.
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BullardsMagicMullet added 14:45 - Jan 10 He will put a shift in and put his body on the line and add some much needed leadership on the pitch, you won't catch him trotting back into position.
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Steelmonkey added 14:46 - Jan 10 That should read right back.
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BigHibbs added 14:47 - Jan 10 Fabulous signing ! Don't have any experience at the back (chambers maybe). He will add that. Admirable what he's done as Aston Villa, he had every right to sit and collect his money every week until fit. But this shows he wants to play. Welcome aboard Ginge
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jayessess added 14:51 - Jan 10 I think he fits the exact profile of the kind of player we need right now. A 6'2" centre half with 300+ games in the top 2 divisions, yes please very much so. Can't think of anyone we could realistically sign who I'd rather have through the door, to be honest.
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Lightningboy added 14:53 - Jan 10 Great signing - IF fit. This could be said of a lot of our signings over the last few years 🙄 No matter what happens between here & May,next season this club needs a bloody good overhaul - I sincerely hope Paul Lambert stays on to oversee it...we need to get back to where we were under Burley between 1995 & 2000.
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JoHnNnY added 14:56 - Jan 10 Will replace Spence - either Matt P or Chambo will fill in at RB hopefully.
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 15:00 - Jan 10 Quality 👍but please stay fit. Hope he's not another Steven Taylor.
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therein61 added 15:21 - Jan 10 With his experience we should now deal with set pieces into the box better than we have done all season our CBs have cost us dearly in this respect
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BlueandTruesince82 added 15:22 - Jan 10 A defender who might read the game
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timspencero added 15:23 - Jan 10 Agree with other - he'll go middle with pennington - Chambo will go RB
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MichaelRockyLavelle added 15:44 - Jan 10 Should be a great signing if he stays fit Welcome James But I can't help but dream of getting Tommy Smith back - he never should have gone in the first place - easily the best in the air for town over the last decade. He'd stop us conceding from set pieces, was incredibly experienced for his age & was a blue through & through Shame :(
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Blocker123 added 15:49 - Jan 10 When we stay up, think I will have a T-shirt on it with.... Jesus can do miracles, But Paul Lambert can do the impossible! COYB!!!!
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jas0999 added 15:55 - Jan 10 Agreed, pointless bringing in any more loanees. However, looks like short term deals on a free as the other option. Hopefully Collins will stay fit. If so, he will be a good addition.
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miltonsnephew added 16:02 - Jan 10
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