JAMIE Clapham is the latest left-back to join Southend United on trial.

The experienced 32-year-old, who has made more than 400 appearances during his career, trained with the Shrimpers yesterday.

Clapham will feature in either this Thursday’s friendly at Billericay Town or Monday night’s visit to Chelmsford City.

“Jamie has come in for us to have a look at and he will play in one of the matches we have coming up,” confirmed manager Steve Tilson.

“Signing a left-back remains our main priority and he’s someone who has enjoyed a good career so we will see what happens.”

Tilson is still searching for a left-sided defender after missing out of his main target Charlie Mulgrew who spent a period on loan at Roots Hall last season before opting to join Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen earlier this month.

Youth team product Johnny Herd, 18, therefore remains the club’s only recognised left-back, although Tilson has fielded trialists in that area during pre-season.

A foreign-born player known only as “Benjamin” featured in the 2-0 win at Great Wakering Rovers, while former Cambridge United and Northampton Town defender Fred Murray played at both Witham and Braintree Town.

Clapham, who is available on a free transfer after being released by Leicester City at the end of last season, will be the latest to be given a chance and he certainly has the experience to succeed.

He began his career with Tottenham Hotspur but is best remembered for a successful five-year spell at Ipswich Town.

He was voted the Tractor Boys’ player of the season in 1999 and also played 12 times for the club in the UEFA Cup.

Clapham has also played for Leyton Orient, Bristol Rovers, Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United.

He had recently been training with West Bromwich Albion to maintain his fitness ahead of the forthcoming campaign.

>BLUES goalkeeper Ian Joyce has failed to make the United States squad for this summer’s Olympic Games.

The summer signing, who had previously been with Watford and Grays Athletic, had hoped to make the trip to Beijing, but head coach Peter Nowak has instead picked Brad Guzan and Chris Seitz.