Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell is still hopeful of adding another centre-back to his squad ahead of Saturday’s Championship opener at Bristol City – and with time running out it could be another loanee from the top-flight. STUART WATSON takes a look at possible candidates from the Premier League.
- Nyron Nosworthy
The Sunderland defender has been linked with Ipswich on and off ever since Roy Keane first took over. Been on loan at Sheffield United in recent years and now even further down the pecking order at The Stadium of Light following the signings of Wes Brown and John O’Shea from Manchester United. The experienced 30-year-old would provide competition at both centre-half and right-back.
- Phillipe Senderos
The 26-year-old Swiss international has played in two World Cups and club football for the likes of Arsenal and AC Milan. Very much a Premier League player but, having signed a three-year deal at Fulham last summer, spent the majority of the campaign out after tearing his Achilles tendon.
Returned to action in April, however Cottagers boss Martin Jol – who has the likes of Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird and Aaron Hughes to choose from at centre-back – may feel a loan spell would help him get over his injury.
- Fitz Hall
A double Championship winner with Newcastle United and now QPR, the 30-year-old may be available having been in and out of Neil Warnock’s newly-promoted team last season. At 6ft 4in tall he would add some much-needed height to Town’s diminutive side. The fact the former Southampton, Crystal Palace and Wigan man can also play in midfield would also be a bonus.
- Kaspars Gorkss
The 6ft 3in Latvian international was a virtual ever present for QPR’s Champion-ship winning side last season, but it looks like he might not be in Neil Warnock’s Premier League plans having reportedly been offered to Blackpool as a potential swap package for DJ Campbell.
- Craig Dawson
The 21-year-old centre-back is well known in the lower echelons of the Football League having helped transform Rochdale from struggling League Two outfit into League One play-off hopefuls. A ball-playing defender who weighs in with his fair share of goals, he was snapped up by West Brom last season. A loan move to a Championship club may be the next stage in his career.
– Shane Duffy
Everton’s 19-year-old centre-back played one game on loan for Burnley last season – a 2-1 defeat against Ipswich. The Northern Ireland Under-21 – who has played in the UEFA Cup for the Toffees – has recently said on social networking website Twitter that he is ready to go out on loan again
- Nathan Baker
Rated as one of English football’s brightest young defensive prospects, the 20-year-old broke into the England Under-21 squad and Aston Villa’s first team last season. Signed a new three-year deal at the Midlands club this summer but new boss Alex McLeish will have his own plans and may allow the youngster out on loan.
- Reece Wabara
Having progressed through the Manchester City academy ranks, the England U19 international signed a three-year deal worth a reported �1m in March. Made his first team debut on the last day of the season, replacing Pablo Zabaleta against Bolton. Able to play anywhere across the back four.
- Ben Gordon
The Chelsea defender is in England’s current Under-20 World Cup squad. Bradford-born, he began his career at Leeds. Yet to play in the Premier League and has had loan spells at Tranmere, Kilmarnock and Scunthorpe.
- James Hurst
With Town also arguably needing right-back cover, 19-year-old Hurst could well be on their radar having made an impressive senior debut for West Brom at Portman Road back in December.
The 19-year-old stood out for the Baggies as Town won their Carling Cup quarter-final clash 1-0.
- Jordan Spence
Another who would be able to provide competition at both right-back and centre-back, the 21-year-old has captained England at every youth team level.
West Ham have loaned him out to the likes of Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe and Bristol City in recent years, but would they be prepared to do so again now that they are down in the Championship?
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