Full-back Dan Harding is set to join Southend on loan and frontman Billy Clarke is off to Darlington for a similar spell. TWTD was first to reveal the Shrimpers' interest in Harding on Tuesday.

The duo are the last of the five players transfer-listed by Jim Magilton earlier in the summer to leave the club with permanent moves possible at the end of the initial loans. Clarke will join the Quakers for a month, while Harding will sign on at Roots Hall until January. On Tuesday TWTD reported that Southend had sent representatives to keep an eye on Harding during Town's reserve game at AFC Sudbury.

Magilton says the duo need to be getting games at senior level: "It is important for these lads to be out playing regular football. This is the right time for them to go and it will be a good opportunity for both.”

Meanwhile, Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell has commented on yesterday's reports linking his left-back Chris Armstrong with a £440,000 move to the Blues: "First it was Michael Tonge going to West Brom or Derby, now it seems Chris is going to Ipswich. They are both still here and what I can say categorically is that no one from any club has been in contact with me about them.

"What amazes me even more is that I can actually read how much Chris is going for. I don't know where any of this has come from.”

Town are believed to be interested in the 26-year-old as they continue their lengthy search for a left-back, but Blackwell appears less than keen to sell.

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