Former QPR and Burnley defender Arthur Gnohere is set for a trial at Portman Road. The 27-year-old Ivory Coast-born centre-half or left-back is available without a fee having left Rangers last season.

Gnohere joined Burnley from French club Caen in 2001 and made 92 appearances while at Turf Moor, scoring six goals. A spell on loan at QPR went well in September and October 2003 and led to a two-and-a-half year deal in February the following year.

A cruciate knee ligament halted his Loftus Road career and while he was on the sidelines Rangers sacked him for breaches of club discipline.

Gnohere, who played 23 games for QPR and scored one goal, has been training with Stockport County but is looking for a move to a Championship club.

The Blues are keen to bring in a left-back in January after Jay McEveley returned to Blackburn having torn a medial knee ligament in the away game at Cardiff City.

Elsewhere, Town are reported to be in the running to sign Tottenham youngster Mark Yeates on loan in January. Millwall, Crystal Palace and Norwich City are also said to be after the 20-year-old when the transfer window opens.

Yeates is currently on loan at Colchester United, scoring once in 25 games, and has previously had short-term spells with Brighton and Swindon. The Dubliner has made four appearances in his time at Tottenham.

Former Town striker Marcus Bent has again been linked with a move from Everton to Charlton. Alan Curbishley, seemingly addicted to signing ex-Town players, is reported to be ready to pay £2 million for the much-travelled frontman.

The switch, if it takes place, would be good news for the Blues as a sell-on clause was included in the £450,000 deal which saw Bent join the Toffeemen in June 2004.

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