Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that the club is set to sign midfielder Toumani Diagouraga on loan from Leeds United and that former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor will start a trial on Monday.

Powerful Frenchman Diagouraga, 29, was a key man when Brentford finished in the play-offs, along with Ipswich, in 2014/15. He has since fallen completely out of favour at Elland Road though and has featured just once for Garry Monk’s side this season.

Taylor, 30, made more than 200 appearances for Newcastle, the vast majority in the Premier League, and is now a free agent having spent the last six months playing for the Portland Timbers in America.

On Diagouraga, who was close to joining Rotherham earlier this week, McCarthy said: “He was the one who Brentford got on the in that really good team that got in the play-offs. I’m delighted to get him.”

On Taylor, the Blues boss added: “He’s coming to train on Monday. If he’s fit he’ll be a good asset. He’s been out in America playing and we’ll have a look at him next week. He was a very good player for Newcastle.”

Keeper Bartosz Bialkowski (ill) joined Myles Kenlock (calf), Adam Webster (ankle), Tommy Smith (back), Teddy Bishop (ankle), Jonny Williams (shoulder), Luke Hyam (knee), Giles Coke (knee) and David McGoldrick (hamstring) in being unavailable today.

“We need bodies,” admitted McCarthy, who has signed free agent right-back Jordan Spence and striker Kieffer Moore (£10k from Forest Green Rovers) this month.

“I looked in the dressing room just then. Diggers (Paul Digby) has just come back from eight weeks out, and I thought he did well, Jordan Spence has come in having not played all season, we’ve signed one from Forest Green in Kieffer Moore, who did well when he was on the pitch, I’ve got Trystan Nydam and Adam McDonnell travelling…

“So yes, it will be nice to have some fresh faces.”