Appy: New man will add defensive stability

The versatile 31-year-old Hungarian joined the Blues on a one-month deal yesterday.

He is expected to make his debut in tomorrow’s League One clash at Crawley Town, subject to the club receiving international clearance for his registration.

Gyepes’ arrival is particularly timely, with loanee Paul Connolly returning to Leeds United with a groin injury which will rule him out for several weeks.

But unfortunately for the Blues boss, Connolly’s 28-day deal could not be cut short.

So Appleton has been blocked from bringing in a loan replacement until next week at the earliest.

He said: ‘Gabor has got experience of English football with Cardiff and Wolves.

‘He’s a good signing for us – he understands the English game.

‘He’s a steady Eddie and he will bring a little bit of maturity to our central defence.

‘He’s not 6ft 3in or 6ft 4in but he’s a good size.

‘He’s not huge but I think he wil bring a calming influence to the team and I think we’ve needed that.

‘He can play anywhere across the back four and he’s good with both feet.

‘I think he will really help the young players like Kevin (Long) and Josh (Thompson).

‘When there was an opportunity to get a defender in and we needed one, we got him.

‘Hopefully he will give us a bit of extra stability and experience at centre-back.’

Appleton was also hoping to add to his striking options in time for tomorrow’s clash.

But he could not pursue any of his targets when he was informed that Connolly’s loan spell could not be brought to a swift conclusion.

He said: ‘In an ideal world, we would have been looking to bring in a striker and a defender.

‘Regardless of Paul being injured and now being back at Leeds – because of the 28-day loan, we can’t do anything, or bring in another player, until that loan period finishes next week.

‘We might revisit that in the future and work out what we need in terms of Paul coming back.

‘We will weigh up where we are in four weeks’ time when he is fit again.

‘If we are out of administration, then our quota of players can be what we want – guided by the budget.

‘But if we’re still in administration at that time, then we will have to think about it again.

‘It comes back to the fact we can only have five loans on your teamsheet.

‘Things might change in those few weeks and we might be really short up front or in midfield areas.

‘But Paul rang me and told me how much he really enjoyed the place.

‘He also felt he had learned a heck of a lot in a short period of time, so that’s a credit to everyone here.’

Appleton also revealed there are other free agents he is interested in signing.

But he has now reached his Football League squad limit of 20 players.

He said: ‘There are two or three free agents who do interest me.

‘But we’re not in a position to do anything as we’re up to the 20-man limit.’