WANDERERS have handed a trial to ex-Sunderland and QPR defender Joel Lynch.

The 33-year-old had been on the verge of signing for Southend United until last week.

Reports from Roots Hall today claimed the former Wales international has now left to try his luck at Wanderers and has been training with the club for the last few days.

Ian Evatt confirmed on Monday afternoon that he has an “experienced” defender on trial and that he was confident a deal could be done.

But if the Whites are going to bring Lynch on board they may have to restructure which over-21 players are registered to play in League Two. New EFL rules brought in over the summer constrict them to 22 players born after January 1, 1999.

Lynch has more than 400 career appearances under his belt, the vast majority of which have been played in the Championship.

He has been looking for a club since leaving Sunderland last July and has also trained with Charlton Athletic for a spell. His last competitive match for was for Black Cats in March last year, a 2-2 draw against Gillingham.

Evatt spoke with Lynch in the summer about a possible deal – but the player was looking to play as high up the football pyramid as possible and tried his luck at The Valley.

But after moving on George Taft to Scunthorpe United on deadline day, Evatt said he has scope to offer a deal to the trialist, if he earns one.

“It doesn’t depend on anyone going out,” he said. “We have four players with Alex Baptiste, Ricardo Santos, Ryan Delaney and Reiss Greenidge, and he can add to that number providing he is what we think he is.

“He has had a very good career so we will see how that develops.”