Reading right-back John Halls is close to signing a one-month loan with the Blues, according to national newspaper reports this morning. Halls, 24, is out of favour at the Madejski Stadium and was watched by Jim Magilton making a rare appearance in the Royals' Carling Cup tie at Liverpool last week.

The Blues have been looking to sign a right-back since the summer and if the former Arsenal trainee impresses he could move to Portman Road on a permanent basis.

Halls made only three League Cup substitute appearances in his time with the Gunners, but had spells on loan with Colchester, Belgian side Beveren and Stoke, eventually joining the Potters on a permanent basis in 2003.

While with the Staffordshire side the 6ft tall Londoner was red-carded in the 3-2 defeat of the Blues at the Britannia Stadium in September 2004.

With his Stoke contract running down and with a number of other Championship sides interested, including George Burley's Southampton, Halls joined Reading for £250,000 in January. However, he has failed to make an impression in Berkshire, starting only once in the league and twice in each cup competition.

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