Town have revealed that former Blue Titus Bramble will be in the squad facing Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium this evening (KO 7.30pm).

Former Manchester United and Manchester City central defender Frederic Veseli, who trained with the squad in Ireland recently, and Tottenham's Bongani Khumalo, who was in the side at Crawley last week, have also been included in the travelling party.

Bramble is a free agent having been released by Sunderland at the end of last season. The former England U21 international has spent the last fortnight training at West Ham but is understood not to have been offered terms. He joined up with the Town squad yesterday.

Prior to the 31-year-old's spell with the Hammers, boss Mick McCarthy dismissed claims that Bramble was training with the Blues.

Bramble came through the Town academy, which he now sponsors, before making his senior debut in the 1998/99 season. The Ipswich-born defender was sold to Newcastle United, then managed by Sir Bobby Robson, for £4.5 million in the summer of 2002.

Veseli trained with Town in Ireland but missed the friendly at Shelbourne having picked up a hamstring injury. He rejoined the Blues at the weekend.

The 20-year-old, who has also played at right-back and in central midfield, was released by Manchester United at the end of last season and has also been linked with Crystal Palace, Birmingham, Wigan and unnamed sides in the Bundesliga and Serie A since his Old Trafford exit, but is said to want to stay in England.

A Swiss international at U15, U16, U17 and U18 levels, Veseli joined the Red Devils from rivals Manchester City in January 2012. He was previously a youth player with hometown club FC Renens and FC Lausanne-Sport, Veseli and is yet to make a senior appearance.

Photo: Action Images

ipswichtillidie added 19:09 - Jul 16 This seems to be splitting opinion doesn't it! Lucky or maybe unlucky for us we don't get to make the decision anyhow. Any doubts as fans we have i'm sure Mick will have looked into so if we re-sign Bramble i say Brill!!! Will be trusting Micks Judgement as it hasn't done me any harm so far! Maybe we'll sign Vesili too... Need cover and he seems to have a lot of potential that just needs to be tapped into... Still hope Stearman is on his way mind so hope one of these isn't at that expense!

0

HARRY10 added 19:09 - Jul 16 It does rather worryingly highlight just how broke we are.
0

Binner added 19:14 - Jul 16 Richard; you say it's wrong for so many reasons yet fail to mention what any of them are. I would love us to sign a defender with nearly 300 PL appearances to his name, especially since most of our existing defenders are quite young. And Titus Bramble knows the area and knows the club. But can see wages being a stumbling block...
0

shiminywho added 19:14 - Jul 16 I have a suspicion that Titus' transfer to NUFC had more than a little sentimentality about it, with Sir Bobby trying to help his former debt-ridden club out. As a Tractor Boy living in the north-east, I saw Titus at Sid James Park on a number of occasions and witnessed the same sharp intake of breath from the Gallowgate End whenever Titus had possession around the penalty box as I did at Portman Road. I applaud the fact that he puts money back into our club via the Academy but can't see him making a positive contribution this season. Sorry, pal. Try Colchester!

0

RetroBlue added 19:22 - Jul 16 Love him , or loath him (Im personally undecided), you can be sure that Titus Bramble will be wearing the Town shirt with sincere passion and pride tonight !
0

suffolkpunchdrunk added 19:23 - Jul 16 Titus Marmite Bramble has landed on TWTD!
0

Warkys_Tash added 19:27 - Jul 16 If you have ever met the guy he is actually quite quiet & unassuming, totally not flash for a guy that most likely became a millionaire at the age of 21. Yes, he has a mistake or two in him but so do most CB's. Over 300 PL appearances tells another side of the story though & at 31 still young enough in that position. He also still has a passion for the game & Ipswich. Personally I don't think we can afford his wages & if we do, then he has taken a massive drop in his demands & hats would have to go off to him.

0

62WasBest added 19:33 - Jul 16 Right from the beginning I always thought that Bramble's weakness was something pace and strength cannot compensate for. He always appeared to me to be slow-thinking. Whether experience has improved that or not I am unsure, but I doubt he is ambitious enough to drive us into the Premier League, let alone whether his wages will be affordable.
0

RetroBlue added 19:40 - Jul 16 I dont think slow thinking was his problem...but a complete lack of awareness of whats going on around him. He losses concentration at key moments. thats why he concedes daft goals.
0

TimmyH added 19:47 - Jul 16 Good back-up, wouldn't start him though - great tackler, poor distribution.
0

TheJam added 20:03 - Jul 16 what we need this season, is fewer players arrested than supporters.
0

bluemikey100 added 20:17 - Jul 16 at least he ipswich thru n thru will play his heart out for us n never let us down cmon titus
0

pazelle added 20:21 - Jul 16 I hope we sign one of them! Veseli would be my first pick, Khumalo would be a good loanee and Bramble is a nobrainer if he's fit and affordable.
0

Lower_North added 20:22 - Jul 16 Gives to many Pens away.....
0

Sindre94 added 20:25 - Jul 16 WE WANT BOTH! WE WANT BOTH!
0

peteswindon added 20:28 - Jul 16 Who can remember the chants? Titus,Titus,Titus,Titus ,Titus oh Titus Bramble
0

chorltonskylineblue added 20:29 - Jul 16 It's a no from me. I've heard too many stories (from friends and not the media) about his off the field activities. We have signed too many players in recent years with dubious backgrounds. He might still be a good player, but we should pass up the chance of signing him and start setting a better example to the younger players Mick is building the squad with.

0

Trimleytractor added 20:33 - Jul 16 MM achieved a minor miracle last season and probably knows what he's doing. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and clearly all those who post their negative messages about a player who has made over 300 premier league appearances must have better incite into the world of football than MM - obviously.
0

Trimleytractor added 20:43 - Jul 16 I meant insight (not incite).
0

Rammo added 20:56 - Jul 16 I can't decide whether Bramble would be a good signing or not, on the plus side he's an experienced Premiership CB who loves ITFC and is still young enough to have a few good years in him. But whenever I've seen him play (both for ITFC and elsewhere) he does have a tendancy to lose concentration at vital moments, something thats not a great trait in a defender! Saying that I trust MM's decision so what will be will be.

0

HARRY10 added 21:10 - Jul 16 can't see his wages being a problem, it's not as if other clubs are beating a path to his door so he'll have to take what's offered worried that Stearman looks to have chosen Yeovil over us
0

h32 added 21:11 - Jul 16 ....... anyone who thinks Bramble isn't worth a look at this level - should seriously question there knowledge of the game . Trust MM's judgement .
0

h32 added 21:16 - Jul 16 ..... and as for Stearman - if he signs for Yeovil it's one in the eye (again) for some who had much to say when we lost out previously to them. Anyone remember that ? ...... or care not to.
0

theobald1985 added 21:28 - Jul 16 Bramble is obviously a good signing I don't think we shoild.worry if yeovil sign stearman they are going for.broke to.stay up but the dowmside is if they fail they will be in administration I think were right to cut our.cloth accordingly
0

suffolkpunchdrunk added 21:38 - Jul 16 HARRY10 & h32 - er maybe not Stearman!
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls