Daryl Murphy is close to rejoining the Blues for a third loan spell, according to reports in Ireland this morning. Murphy, whose Celtic contract is up at the end of the season, was with the Blues for the whole of the last campaign and the second half of 2009/10.

The 29-year-old midfielder or striker, who returned to training yesterday after a hamstring injury, is surplus to requirements at Parkhead and is understood to be keen on a return to Suffolk with his family having settled in the area during his most recent spell here.

Capped nine times by Ireland, Murphy, who had trials with the Blues when a Waterford United player in 2004/05 before opting to join Premier League Sunderland, made 32 starts and two sub appearances last season, almost all at left midfield, scoring four goals.

At the end of the campaign Paul Jewell said he was keen to sign Murphy on a permanent basis but wasn’t confident a deal could be done.

Speaking in July, he said: “I’ve spoken with Daryl’s agent a few times and if they want a fee, with his wages, we just can’t afford it. It’s no secret that Daryl’s on a good contract at Celtic.
“I thought he did well for us at the back end of the season. We would be interested in Daryl if the deal was right, but I get the feeling that it’s going to be an expensive deal for us to do.”

Photo: Action Images

MaySixth added 08:57 - Aug 28 Is he any better than Josh Carson / Jet on the left? No
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SuperReuser added 08:58 - Aug 28 Never really done anything wrong in his last two loan spells and been reasonably solid I suppose, be never really 'thrilled' me or done anything too spectacular. Still a good addition to the squad. Add Church aswell and maybe Wickham on loan and things are looking better.
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Chop_Chop added 08:59 - Aug 28 Gives us a bit of height and a bit more depth.
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Wickets added 09:01 - Aug 28 Yes he is, Carson still learning, Jet is only good in patches as yet does not use his height or strength not good at defending cannot head the ball!
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Dissblue added 09:02 - Aug 28 Jewel is getting desperate or Murphy is cheap. You Decide.
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casanovacrow added 09:06 - Aug 28 don't rate the player much, don't like loanees however some height and weight in the team instead of Carson sounds a good idea at the moment. Useful target and could help defend set plays ...just hope he brings more goals this time
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woodpecker15 added 09:10 - Aug 28 I thought he was pretty good last time
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wychyblue added 09:12 - Aug 28 Last season was very very poor. We seem to have ended up now with the same team as last year ( except massimo (loan) for leadboots ) so why does he think this season will be any different to last?
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kuyski added 09:14 - Aug 28 come on！not bad at last season. one more choose for PJ is good.
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JimmyJazz added 09:15 - Aug 28 The problem with loanees is they come here, improve, leave and we don't see them again. This is quite clearly not the case with Murphy.
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MattinLondon added 09:16 - Aug 28 He is a good Championship standard player but I'd rather have Carson out there myself. I don't blame PJ at all for getting him back (if its true) as its a cheap option and that is all he has to work with.
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OldClactonBlue added 09:20 - Aug 28 Desperate, desperate times!
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casanovacrow added 09:23 - Aug 28 I don't follow people saying its a cheap option, the guys wages are massive and we'll be paying most of em.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 09:24 - Aug 28 Really disappointing if this happens. With all respect to DM, we should be moving on. It does smack of desperation. I want to see a goalscorer up front, and DM just doesn't fit the bill. (Having said that, if he comes and wears the shirt, of course we should back him.)
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evansblue added 09:26 - Aug 28 I think he is a decent player but not spectacular. I must say though that given the fact we have at least 8 midfielders and are desperate for a Centre back and a tall Centre forward I am not sure why we are going for him. That's 2 midfielders in 5 days and I hope its not a panic signing.
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cats_whiskers added 09:27 - Aug 28 Just study the picture of the fans is that picture... Arms folded and filled with obvious excitement.... Not.... The side needs a target man in the middle not playing out on the wing and more importantly who can rise above defenders and head a ball.
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Michael11 added 09:29 - Aug 28 Hardly set the world alight the last two times he was here but hey ho, another CB and a striker needed now.
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casanovacrow added 09:29 - Aug 28 Evansblue - We need left sided players and more physical presence. he ticks both boxes, also provides cover in more than 1 position. Being a midfielder is neither here or there, the midfielders we have are all central players
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Premierbluez added 09:34 - Aug 28 Murphy is 6 foot 3 inches. Given Paul Jewell wants a striker with a physical presence he might be the best option. Wasn't at his best last season. Then again I hadn't previously seen him played as a winger.
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Jimmys_Law added 09:34 - Aug 28 He's a solid player and nearly always performs consistently. I know he has many doubters and he doesn't tend to do many spectacular things, but he is tall (6ft 3ins I believe), can fill more than one position (LW and CF) if necessary, can defend, and gives us options with regard to our formation. I for one would be pleased with him coming back if this is true as I feel he was a bit of an unsung hero in the team. Plus he already knows most of the players here and can join on a free next season if he plays well this year.

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evansblue added 09:37 - Aug 28 Casanova - I just think we have other priorities. N'Daw adds a physical presence in the middle and Carson and JET can fill the left role. I will give Jewell some time but we have to get a centre back and centre forward in by Friday if we want to be a top half team in my opinion.
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Stato added 09:38 - Aug 28 He might be a little bit better than Carson but the priority has to be a forward with aerial ability and that isn't Church.
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Karlosfandangal added 09:41 - Aug 28 Can he be counted as a loan player after 32 games last season ? I know everyone is saying Carson and Jet are better but Jet is when he feels like it say every 4 games and Carson is still learning and is blowing hot and cold at the moment. Murphy is a solid player and could be the striker we are looking for 6 in 18 first loan spell that would still leave Jet and Carson on the wings,also Murphy may be playing for a new club at the end of the season. Need another centre back too

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faith added 09:42 - Aug 28 Good a great move he has never let us down and wants to play here! a major part of our game went thru him last year and was one of our plus points. come on Daryl. last year of his contract so we can sign him for a free at the end of the year, yes please rather have him than Davies. now theres your target man, now 1 more centre half required.
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casanovacrow added 09:44 - Aug 28 Evansblue - N'Daw i can only see getting a few games, found us getting him slightly strange. Luongo and Hyam been solid in the middle despite the weekends blip. Drury I prefer to N'Daw also, but would use N'Daw is we have to cope with a team of giants. JET isnt anywhere near as good on the left, best on the right so he can come inside and shoot. Not much of a crosser. Carson I rate, but we seriously lack height and he's the easiest option to drop in out team at the moment other than JET n dropping JET just makes us small again. Do agree we need a striker and CB though, still think we need cover at LB too, we only have Cressy

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