Michael Mancienne
Mancienne doesn’t immediately leap out as an Appleton signing, but at 33-year-old he is a free agent and he has a certain pedigree which is interesting. Those perusing this list will likely see his name and go ‘oh yeah, I remember him’ – as he was a big name here for a while. He started his career at Chelsea, serving around the same time as Liam Bridcutt. He went out on loan to QPR and Wolves before moving to Germany to play for Hamburg. He later returned to the UK with Forest, where his career overlapped with that of Bridcutt again, before a spell with New England Revolution in MLS.
Mancienne does fit the bill positionally too. He is a central defender, but also capable of playing right-back (it was Christmas 2017 he appeared there last for Forest, against Bristol City) and in a holding midfield role. He only turned 33 in early January and should have plenty to offer a League One side. Certainly, as cover and an influential figure off the field, he would be a solid acquisition for the Imps.