Former Perth Glory midfielder Rostyn Griffiths is reportedly set to join the Blues on trial.

According The Sun on Sunday, the Blues are interested in the 27-year-old, who is a free agent and is keen on a return to English football.

Stoke-on-Trent-born Griffiths was raised in Australia and played youth football with ECU Joondalup but returned to England to join Blackburn in 2006, having had trials with Town amongst others as a 14-year-old.

While with Rovers Griffiths spent time on loan at Gretna and Accrington Stanley (as pictured above) before leaving Ewood Park in February 2009 without having made a senior appearance for his parent club.

He returned to Australia and joined Adelaide United, then had spells with North Queensland Fury and Central Coast Mariners.

In 2012 Guangzhou R&F paid $1.3 million for the 6ft 2in tall defensive midfielder, which is still an A-League record fee. After two years in China he joined Perth Glory.

Griffiths, whose younger brother Brent plays for Central Coast Mariners, was capped by Australia at U17 level but also qualifies for Wales through a grandparent.

Meanwhile, the Blues continue to be linked with a loan move for Liverpool left-back Brad Smith. The Australian international was previously mentioned in connection with a move to Town earlier in the week.

The Blues are also being linked with a loan move for another so far unnamed Arsenal youngster by the Arsenal Youth website. Town recently signed 17-year-old Ainsley Maitland-Niles on a season-long loan.

Released midfielder Paul Anderson has turned down a contract with Charlton and, as previously reported, Wigan Athletic are currently the favourites for the 27-year-old’s signature.

League One Southend United face opposition from Chicago Fire for Noel Hunt's signature, the MLS side having reportedly offered the Irishman a three-year deal.

Elsewhere, Academy scholar Monty Patterson and the New Zealand U23 side missed out on their place in today’s final at the Pacific Games having been thrown out of the tournament - whose winners qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics - for fielding an ineligible player.

Following their 2-0 defeat to New Zealand in Friday’s semi-final, Vanuatu protested that South African-born defender Deklan Wynne was ineligible, a complaint which was upheld by the Oceania Football Confederation.

New Zealand Football say they will be challenging the decision. Patterson, 18, scored a goal in each of his three games in the competition.

Photo: Action Images

karls_dad added 15:49 - Jul 12 I tend to agree with other postings that two loanee,s is sufficient, yes they may be good players, i would much rather see our own guys pulling on the shirt, settling in Suffolk, bringing their families, regarding our fabulous club and people theirs!
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Warkys_Tash added 16:37 - Jul 12 If this is true then it's very uninspiring! Bored, bored, bored..... Wake me up when Jonny signs.....
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WorcesterBlue added 17:46 - Jul 12 From an article I've read on him this lad has unfinished business in European football, likes his position and backs himself to make an impact. He was offered a new contract but wanted to be a free agent to explore his options. Rather than bargain basement he looks decent to me - expansive passing and good tackling, something Skuse lacks (for all those who seem to rate him so highly). Time will tell but actually I'm excited at the prospect.

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RegencyBlue added 19:08 - Jul 12 Always worth looking at players like this because MM has a proven track record of unearthing some gems. Having said that I cannot see us getting out of the Championship with a team built solely from free transfers, out of contract players and loans. The other thing is when are we going to sort out the right back situation? For me that is the position we simply must deal with sooner rather than later!

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runningout added 20:01 - Jul 12 I must have been watching different games, if some think McGoldrick and Bishop can replicate Williams
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Slambo added 22:11 - Jul 12 Len_Brennan - great shout re Giles Barnes. I follow MLS a bit and there're actually some really exciting prospects starting to come out of the States. Diego Fagundez at New England and a lad called Harry Shipp over at Chicago. Would be worth offering them a trial...
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2_Goal added 22:49 - Jul 12 I've seen this guy play many times in the A-league in Australia. He can never hold down a place in any team. He's slow, played in several positions across midfield and even I believe in defence, but not very well, and certainly no eye for goal. But he's tall, and win headers, so MM may well like him. He is not a good footballer in the A-league let alone the Championship. Nice lad, but he won't improve the quality of the squad unfortunately. Hope this is just speculation.

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