TWTD understands Town are closing in on the signing of free agent former QPR midfielder Tom Carroll.

Carroll, 29, left Loftus Road at the end of last season having turned down a new contract and had been training with Derby County in pre-season.

We understand the Blues’ move is well-developed and could be confirmed as soon as today with the player set to be at the club to complete the formalities relating to the deal.

Rumours that the former England U19 and U21 international was on Town's radar were circulating last month.

Manager Paul Cook watched the Rams' friendly at home to Real Betis in July in which Carroll played the first 56 minutes.

Born in Watford, Carroll came through the ranks at Tottenham and had spells on loan at Leyton Orient, Derby, QPR and Swansea while a White Hart Lane player before joining the Swans permanently for £4.5 million in January 2017.

A loan spell at Aston Villa followed before he moved to Loftus Road on a permanent basis in the summer of 2020.

Having added Cameron Burgess at centre-half at the weekend, central midfield looked the area of the squad most in need of cover and Carroll will compete with Rekeem Harper and Lee Evans for one of the two starting berths.

Photo: Action Images

Fat_Boy_Tim added 12:44 - Aug 16 From Wikipedia: Carroll plays as a deep-lying creative central midfielder, and is particularly valued for his high passing percentage accuracy and creativity. Carroll's style of play has drawn comparisons with former teammate Luka Modrić. Sounds good to me!
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Nobbysnuts added 12:45 - Aug 16 It's all coming together ....all we need now is a decent manager to manage them....
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ThatMuhrenCross added 12:50 - Aug 16 Absolutely no chance a player of that calibre is coming in as back-up! He's here to compete very much as one of three players vying for two starting positions, and he may very well force his way into one of them. Nice bit of experience as well, and a player who's spent a lot of time at massive clubs where the very best standards of how players should conduct themselves are set. I'd still love to see a proper experienced centre-back come in - someone who's played at big clubs before as well. Would be nice to think the Jagielka link isn't completely dead in the water. As much as I'd love Cahill, I think he's likely to be significantly out of our budget.

1

Unhinged_dynamo added 12:51 - Aug 16 This squad should get automatic promotion and could imo stay in championship. Its a very good platform for us to develop youth in and tweak over the coming seasons as hopefully we move up the pyramid
1

Marinersnose added 12:59 - Aug 16 Apparently Dozzell is keeping him out of the side 😉. A goalscorer would be a welcome addition also.
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atty added 13:00 - Aug 16 Assume this guy is competition for Evans, Harper and let's not forget Nolan, all as one of the two sitting midfielders. That leaves what 13 attacking players for the one up top and the three, and three of the candidates for the one up top, Norwood, Pigott and Bonne, could also play as a No.10/ Middle of the three. Blimey hope he can them all happy!
1

ringwoodblue added 13:00 - Aug 16 A great signing if (and it's a big IF) he can stay fit. His recent injury record isn't good and add that to our record of injuries, it is risky but hopefully it pays off.
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bedsitfc added 13:00 - Aug 16 Great We can put Harper on the bench as he looks ineffective from what I have seen!
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JewellintheTown added 13:12 - Aug 16 Christmas come early if we get him!
0

RobITFC added 13:27 - Aug 16 More great news , yet there are still some on here being negative, for goodness sake we have two quality players in each position, what a squad Ashton is building. Keep the faith and support the blues!
5

Towny_in_Taipei added 13:30 - Aug 16 Some so-called fans are just never happy no matter what, I'm sure if we signed Messi the same ones would have a good old moan!
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MickMillsTash added 13:50 - Aug 16 NO idea about him but if he can unlock a parked bus defence that many teams will play / be forced to play at Portman Road then sounds like a good signing. Also sounds expensive I like what I have seen from Harper effective without being risky, I liked Evans against Morecambe was less sure vs Burton.
0

Marinersnose added 13:51 - Aug 16 Rob ITFC sense of humour bypass ?
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1960TrueBlue added 13:54 - Aug 16 Great news! We are building such a good squad now He should make the team by Christmas anyway & then we can all sing his name!
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ChrisFelix added 13:58 - Aug 16 Besitfc you are having a joke. Harper for is the best midfield player to play for us since probably Holland. From what I have seen he is far to good for this division
4

fergalsharkey added 14:00 - Aug 16 Give it 6 weeks and we will be flying.
2

dirtydingusmagee added 14:13 - Aug 16 Michael101, sorry to disillusion you, but we wont get 2/6 for Jackson, .
3

Bazza8564 added 14:27 - Aug 16 I agree with ChrisFelkix on Harper, quality and young enough to get way better. On Carroll, yes please, adds quality and depth to the squad for rotation and injury cover, both of which we will need in a 46 game league campaign.
1

PortmanTerrorist added 14:34 - Aug 16 blues1 we keep getting told Piggot is better as a 10 and I know our Keeper's stats....but have you not watched him play for us in pre-season and at the first 2 league games. Maybe it's nerves, i really hope so, but if his decision making does not improve he will cost us dear.
1

Cadiar added 14:51 - Aug 16 Hope this happens. Good name but hope he doesn't have fisticuffs with PC as his namesake did with Sir Bob. Also think the previous TC ended up in nick for tax evasion or something.
0

Help added 14:58 - Aug 16 I thought he had a couple of injuries, especially one last season?? previous hip and torn knee ligaments.
0

Billysherlockblue added 15:00 - Aug 16 Ive said allready that the introduction of burgess and Edmondson when fit will give our full backs the confidence to drive on knowing they will be secure in doing so. Wolfy and donacian not assured enough and dont instill confidence in the players around them. Although they will prove valuable squad members. Wolfy too casual but will improve when he sees the new guys work. Donacian a super back up across the back 4. This is what i think? Super blues forever 💙

1

bluehook added 15:05 - Aug 16 I think even I could get a tune out of this superb squad that has now been assembled. Congratulations to all concerned.
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grinch added 15:12 - Aug 16 KVY has been caught to high on most of goals scored against us. A deep lying central midfielder should plug that hole or KVY has to learn quick HD hasn't got speed of a walker to come back think Donacien should be given a go at RB as he won't leave the gaps exposing the CBs to come out of position. Fix that and we are solid at back with coulson coming in on left
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Billysherlockblue added 15:30 - Aug 16 In reply to grinch. Our holding midfieldes were doing ok it was when our full backs went forward and lost the ball our defence retreated instead of pushing up a little. Too big a gap formed between our centre halves and midfield. Only my thoughts! Super blues forever 💙
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