On paper Notts County must have the most qualified defensive armour in the division, with a wealth of top-level experience now populating the rearguard.
Russell Hoult and Michael Johnson have both had sustained spells in the Premiership, and now they are joined by another player fitting this mould in Jamie Clapham.
 | Impressed: Clapham chose Clapham ahead of the ever-present Paul Mayo... |
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The 32-year-old joined Notts on a short-term deal prior to the 2-2 draw away at Exeter City when it was announced that Stephen Hunt's comeback had taken a setback.
Unsuccessful in gaining a contract at Southend United in July, Clapham has spent the last couple of weeks under the watchful eye of Ian McParland.
Shrimpers' boss, Steve Tilson ended his interest in the five-foot-nine trialist, stating that he was not tall enough for his team. He said: "We aren't the biggest side in the world and that's something I want to rectify.
"Set-pieces are a big thing in our division and I think we need more height in there to deal with them better.
"There is no denying Jamie is a very good player but he wasn't really what we were looking for."
Notts' manager, however, was evidently impressed by his abilities, seeing him as worthy cover for Hunt, and despite not featuring in a competitive game since last season, he was thrust into the starting line-up ahead of Paul Mayo at the weekend.
Leicester City was the Lincolnshire-born left-back's previous club, where the departed Ian Holloway snapped him up when his services were no longer required by Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Alongside Holloway, Clapham headed for the Walkers' Stadium exits just months later, after he was released in May, making just 11 appearances for the Foxes.
He has not been able to settle at a club since his successful stint with Ipswich Town, which saw him not only play consistently in the top-flight, but in the Europe too.
Initially loaned out from Tottenham Hotspur to the Tractor Boys, he was signed for £300,000 and went on to make over 200 appearances, including 12 in the UEFA Cup.
Five years after joining, it was time for Clapham to move on, as Ipswich faced administration - not being able to cope with the gulf in revenue coupled with relegation from the Premiership.
The financial implications of the drop meant that players had to be sold, and | Just the one: Clapham scored his only goal for Birmingham against Manchester United... |
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1999's Player of the Year was one of them, returning to the highest level by signing for Birmingham City in a deal worth a staggering £1.3 million.
Starting well, Clapham was a regular at St. Andrews until a series of injuries sidelined him for over four-months.
Upon his return to action, he was utilised as a squad player because the likes of Stan Lazaridis and Julian Gray had pushed in front of him in the pecking order.
Ahead of his release from Birmingham in 2006, Clapham managed to grab his one and only goal in his 84 appearances for the Blues against Manchester United.
His search for a new club ended with Wolves, where he went on to make 28 appearances in the 2006/07 season before being transfer listed.
He was later shipped out on loan to Leeds United, spending three months of last year at the League One side.
Failing to make a significant impact, he returned to Wanderers and was released short after.
This led him to his eighth club - when including loan periods with Leyton Orient and Bristol Rovers in his Spurs days - Leicester City.
Clapham now looks to impress at County where he will be hoping that McParland offers him a deal beyond his temporary contract.
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