Town are again being linked with a move for ex-Leeds United midfielder Rodolph Austin, who is currently away with Jamaica at the Gold Cup in the USA.

Austin, 30, was previously mentioned in connection with a loan move to the Blues in February, a report which was dismissed by boss Mick McCarthy.

Following his release by the Whites at the end of the season, the combative midfielder was again said to be interesting Town in May but that his wage demands had ended their interest.

Now, according to Transfer Centre Live, the Blues are heading a number of Championship clubs for Austin’s signature.

The midfielder has skippered Jamaica to the final of the Gold Cup against Mexico, which will be played at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

Austin started his career in his native Jamaica with Portmore United. He moved to Norwegian club Brann initially on loan in 2008 before joining permanently the following year.

After four years with the Bergen club 6ft tall Austin joined Leeds United in July 2012. He made 101 starts and 11 sub appearances for the Whites and scored 10 goals.

Photo: Action Images

blueherts added 13:33 - Jul 23 With Hyam out an area we need cover - Need a spoiler ! Decent enough player depends what his wage demands are ...
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TheBlueBarca added 13:41 - Jul 23 I personally wouldn't be overly excited for a midfielder that's 30, played over 100 games at this level and only scored 10 goals but in Mick we trust! We have needed a real goalscoring midfielder for years now mind so thats nothing new.
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hoppy added 13:47 - Jul 23 I get what you're saying TheBlueBarca, but if he could sit a bit deeper, to release the new goal machine that is Skuse to get further forward, just how many goals would you need from midfield to supplement Cole's dozen or so?
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Michael11 added 13:53 - Jul 23 I'd take him if his wage demands aren't huge. Leeds fans seem to be disappointed that he was released so could be a good signing. We do lack a nasty midfielder who can add a bit of steel.
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bluefeast added 13:55 - Jul 23 We need grit ,we only have skuse to break up play. We need the 2 or 3 Mick is after ,hope one is a full back for the right hand side ,or we will be imbalanced again
5

Devereuxxx added 13:57 - Jul 23 I'd definitely try and get this deal through, if Skuse gets injured we have very little cover in CM, especially in terms of a combative central midfielder. Also @Thebluebarca, i'd argue that 1 goal in every 10 games is far superior to any of our current central midfielders! I guess it all comes down to what contract and playing time we (and other) clubs offer. Clubs like celtic, Boro etc could offer a whole chest of wages, but he'll probably sit on the bench a lot of the time. We could give him a good wage, some first team opportunities, but MM isn't going to give him stupid wages. All things considered this would be a good signing. The sort of player I really hated whilst he was at Leeds, but I'd prefer to have him in our team than playing against him.

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MeenoITFC added 14:02 - Jul 23 LOFTUS-CHEEK on loan from chelsea is who we need. A central midfielder that needs game time and has the ability to do well and score goals in the championship
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Devereuxxx added 14:06 - Jul 23 Mourinho has said today Loftus-Cheek isn't going anywhere, and is in his plans for the season. Would likely go to a Premier League club anyway. Stoke tried to get him on loan as part of the Begovic deal. Chelsea refused and gave them Van Ginkel instead.
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mattfrost216 added 14:16 - Jul 23 Let's not forget Jamaica have had an exceptional Gold Cup - they're in the final after all. 30 years old isn't a barrier - just look at Murphy...
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westlake33 added 14:28 - Jul 23 " I personally wouldn't be overly excited for a midfielder that's 30, played over 100 games at this level and only scored 10 goals but in Mick we trust! We have needed a real goalscoring midfielder for years now mind so thats nothing new. " Keith Andrews scored 10 in 19 for us but did sod all else - this isn't the primary reason behind signing Austin - I'd rather have a player who does the team job for 90 minutes than say a Keith Andrews where it's like having the midfield dominated for 85 minutes most games.

3

unknown100 added 14:40 - Jul 23 2 decent full backs and a goalkeeper and we'd really be a fantastic outfit for the championship but if say pay a bit of money, look in the lower leagues, mings and creswell have both come from there and a established experienced goalkeeper
0

brian_a_mul added 15:15 - Jul 23 I think we are covered, Tabb can play def midfielder in event Hyam and Skuse are out. McDonnell, Bunyu, Maitland-Niles can all play centrally to support Bishop and Bru. McGoldrick can also drop in to an advanced midfield role if ever required to bulk up midfield numbers.
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rexron added 15:15 - Jul 23 Remember him from his days in Norway. A hard working aggressive type, but is more like a wrestler than a footballer.
2

homer_123 added 15:48 - Jul 23 An interesting option given Hyam's not available. Exactly the sort of player we need - proper get stuck in defensive midfielder that does the basics well. We need options here - as a proper DM he would allow our new found wingers to push higher up the pitch...which is how Mick likes to play. It won't happen but..... Rudolph/ Skuse/ Tabb as the DM options Maitland-Niles/ Connoly/ Henshall/ Fraser as the wide options (plus Tabb, Stewart (I know he's been told he can leave) McG/ Ambrose/ Bru as AM options Sears/ Murphy/ McG/ Pitmann as Attacking options That looks quite healthy to me.....

0

rickw added 15:48 - Jul 23 From harryfrombath's Leeds notes from both matches last season: “Rudy is no longer being asked to defend any more and spread passes around like Tony Currie. It's not his game. He's a strong fit bloke. He gets stuck in, runs with the ball as a box-to-box midfielder using his copious amounts of energy”, “His goal of the season against Watford was fantastic.” The 29-year-old Jamaica international “is supposed to be the link man between midfield and attack, but is ineffective in that role”, “He is a powerful tackler and ball carrier, and can keep going for 90 minutes”, “His goal, while spectacular, was one that generally goes into Row Z when he hits them.” "Rudy Austin's only role is a 20—30-minute cameo when tired legs are apparent." The 29-year-old holding player "offers experience and muscle but at the expense of mobility", "He makes a good impact off the bench. His passing isn't great but he makes a nuisance of himself, breaking up play." Sounds like a decent squad player for us, but not a star

1

oioihardy added 16:03 - Jul 23 good player !
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Seasider added 16:32 - Jul 23 Leave it to Mick,as he knows players better than any of us.Personally never heard of this chap;but will certainly need most of close season off bearing in mind he is still playing .Kick Off is only just over 2 weeks away so presume he would only be cover as some have suggested. More interested in a right back,looks like may have solved rest of positions but more cover at back would appear to be needed from goals conceded,although still early days as Murph, Jonny Parr,Ambrose,McGoldrick and Christophe Berra have hardly featured so far if at all.

2

Geoff added 16:33 - Jul 23 Priority is to sign a right back as we look weak down that side,really need to stop the silly mistakes in defence and conceding this seems our weak point.
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runningout added 16:35 - Jul 23 If he was any good Leeds would want him, or am I being pessimistic again
2

dude added 16:50 - Jul 23 Looks like he'd be decent cover for the DMF position. I'm optimistic about our current midfield scoring goals this season although I'd love to get Jonny back on loan. I'm more interested in competition for RB - eventually shoving Chambers out of the way and Chambers then fighting for the CB position with Smith. Not too worried about anything else.
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rickw added 16:52 - Jul 23 Is there anyone who's seen Ipswich play who doesn't think we need a new Right Back???? Lets hope Mick has something up his sleeve!
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RYITFC added 17:27 - Jul 23 I can't really see where he would fit in, Even if we go with a midfield 3 i would say Bish, Skuse & Bru would be our first choice, that leaves Tabb, Hyam (when fit) & Mcdonnell but more importantly i would like to think it is an area we're targetting to get someone who can chip in with 8-10 goals who is better than what we already have. We don't need backup in this area we need a player who will make a big impact with a bit of quality.

1

muccletonjoe added 17:30 - Jul 23 We would be much better off, trying to persuade luke garbutt to join us instead of Fulham
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Jimmy86 added 17:48 - Jul 23 Austin would be a big improvement on Hyam. Strong and robust in the tackle, but he can play a bit too and is certainly better on the ball than Hyam. Is capable of scoring goals too, which for a DM would be a bonus.
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jas0999 added 18:13 - Jul 23 No better than the players we already have for that position. Wages will be expensive, so I would look elsewhere. Not bad. But not great.
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