Town have confirmed that Stephen Bywater is joining the club on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move from Derby County. The clubs have agreed terms and the paperwork is expected to be completed by the end of today.

Boss Jim Magilton told the club site: "Stephen is a young, ambitious keeper who knows what is needed to win promotion from this division.

"We are delighted to have him with us and he will stay here on loan with a view to making it a permanent move in the summer."

News of Town's interest in the former West Ham keeper first broke last night when a national newspaper reported on their website that the Blues would move for either the 26-year-old or Wigan's Carlo Nash.

The Mancunian started his career at Rochdale but moved on to West Ham in 1998 where he made 67 appearances and almost as many loan moves. The former England U21 international spent spells at Wycombe, Wolves, Hull City, Cardiff and finally Derby, making his move permanent in August 2006 for £225,000.

Bywater, who wears the number 43 shirt in tribute to his West Ham coach Les Sealey, who died at the age of 43, is best known to Town fans for his spat with Alex Bruce at the end of last season which saw them both red-carded. He has been Derby's first choice keeper for the last two seasons but Roy Carroll's signing, a move facilitated by Alexander's switch to Rangers, would have seen his opportunities limited at Pride Park.

The 6ft 2in tall keeper has won promotion from the Championship via the play-offs two seasons running with West Ham and then Derby.

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