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Ipswich Town have agreed a loan deal for Southend United's French defender Bilel Mohsni.

The 25-year-old trained with the Tractor Boys in pre-season but returned to France after refusing to extend his trial period.

However, Town have now agreed a three-month loan with a view to a permanent transfer in January.

The versatile Mohsni can also play in midfield and up front, scoring 18 goals in 50 appearances for the Shrimpers.

But he was also sent off three times for the club and his off-field behaviour caused occasional problems for manager Paul Sturrock.

In December last year he took a train home from an FA Cup tie at Oldham after falling out with team-mates.

Three months later he asked to be substituted during a defeat at Morecambe and again decided to return home by train.

Mohsni had a trial with West Ham at the beginning of the summer but Southend subsequently turned down a bid from the Premier League club.

More recently, he has been training with Birmingham City and a move to St Andrew's seemed more likely before Ipswich renewed their interest.