TWTD understands that Needham Market youngster Keiran Morphew will play for Town’s U21s in Monday afternoon’s game against QPR at Playford Road (KO 1.30pm).

Central midfielder Morphew, 22, who came through the Ryman League Premier Division club’s academy, previously spent time with the Blues in 2013 when he played a game for the U21s, coincidentally away against the West Londoners, at right-back.

Town are likely to field few if any senior players in the U21s with the first-team in action at home to Reading on Tuesday evening, although on-trial winger Jerome Thomas, 32, may be given another run-out having featured in a strong Town XI which drew 1-1 with Southend in a friendly on Friday.

The Blues' U21s are currently bottom of the Professional Development League Two South and are without a win in their last nine games.

The transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday evening with Town boss Mick McCarthy having played down the chances of adding to his squad.

Free agent Thomas could sign at any time should McCarthy offer him a deal, while Football League clubs can bring players in on 93-day loans from next week until March.

The Blues manager has said he'd like to get youngsters such as Josh Emmanuel, 18, and Myles Kenlock, 19, out on loan to gain experience if clubs are interested in taking them.

Meanwhile, former Town striker Jordan Rhodes’s £9 million switch from Blackburn to Middlesbrough has collapsed after the Teessiders pulled out of the move at the 11th hour.

With Rhodes, 25, having already undergone a medical, Boro chairman Steve Gibson is said to have got cold feet as the overall deal had become too expensive once the fee, the player’s wages and bonuses were taken into consideration.

Elsewhere, Leicester forward Tom Lawrence is reportedly set to join Cardiff on loan on Monday after his spell at Blackburn came to an end today.

Town were amongst a number of other Championship clubs linked with the 22-year-old former Manchester United man.

U21s: Marsden, Emmanuel, Morphew, Robinson, Kenlock, Guldbrandsen, McDonnekll, Hammond, McKendry, Ford, McLoughlin. Subs: Wright, C Smith, Blanchfield, Meldrum, Ramadan.

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 17:52 - Jan 31 I see no point in securing 93 day loans when we can secure half season loans within this window. I can only assume ME doesn't want to spend the extra. If we reached the playoffs we would need the loanees to be available, whilst needing to add NOW.
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Mullet added 18:02 - Jan 31 I assume that ME can't make clubs give up their own players on terms that suits him either. What a fars!
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Michael11 added 18:09 - Jan 31 I'm getting really frustrated at the lack of ambition at the club. Not sure whether Evans is not supplying any money or if McCarthy just doesn't want to spend any. We're going to end up being left behind by the pack as our obvious lack of quality won't get us up. Teams like Sheffield Wednesday have one sniff of playoffs and strengthen with Barry Bannan, Gary Hooper, Aiden McGeady etc. We sign Paul Digby on loan from Barnsley!!! We simply won't sustain promotion contenders without investing in a couple of quality players IMO.

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Mark added 18:16 - Jan 31 Ipswich very rarely do business on transfer deadline day, but with Parr, Oar and Alabi leaving and with us being one win off the play-offs I would hope our ambition in the transfer market would stretch to move than Foley (short term) and Digby (loan).
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Guthrum added 18:38 - Jan 31 Bannan and Hooper were already at Wednesday before this window (the former from the end of August). Mcgeady has not played a full game since the summer (only Everton appearance was 45 mins in the League Cup). Given our respective League positions, what makes you think they're so much better than what we already have?
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therein61 added 18:53 - Jan 31 Without any additions we are I'm sorry to say going nowhere this strongest squad that Mick babbles on about is not up to the job of getting promotion the sides against Portsmouth proved that(Bart and Ainsley being the exceptions) they are not ready for the championship we are carrying to many passengers on wages that could be used to bring in a breath of fresh air and impetus to the side as the current 1st x1 are far to comfortable knowing that selection is but a formality, and that Mick is not good enough!! given our financial limitations(although Milne says Mick has some money) you have done wonders for our club and stabilised it, but have you got it in you to take us onwards and upwards? I feel you are like the 1st x1 (very comfortable) and to be blunt(as they are in Yorkshire) need a kick up the arse to refocus on the job in hand and earn your new contract!!

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happybeingblue added 19:40 - Jan 31 is this our signing for the final push!
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Cakeman added 20:33 - Jan 31 Fully agree with Michael11. I cannot make my mind up if Evans just will not invest anymore given past experiences with Keane and Jewell or if Mick is trying to do things on a shoestring to earn an O.B.E. He if do get promoted. I am not happy with what we are trying to do as either way we are falling short. I said something earlier in the season along the lines of if it wasn't good enough last season, it won't be good enough this season. It is great that the Needham Market chap will get a chance with us but with the most greatest respect we should be talking about signing far more experienced players.

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dukey44 added 20:35 - Jan 31 Im sorry but all the teams pushing for the prem are spending money on players to make them better.... then theres Mick and our team??? Im sorry guys but just feel so let down again. Another season of what ifs!!!! Then our manager signs a better deal for himself before the transfer window and the teams got bloody smaller. Losing faith big time. As every season same old same old.. championship again next season....

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Gcon added 21:43 - Jan 31 I read this as a story about a young local player being given an opportunity to prove himself. How come others read it as an invitation to moan and whine?
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WorcesterBlue added 22:02 - Jan 31 GCon - because lots of us are so p&£sed off with the lack of meaningful communication and lack of strengthening at a crucial time when clearly we are short (not least due to departures and long term injuries for two of our best players). I thought our business in the Summer fell short (notably at centre back and GK) but with the two loanees plus Oar out wide, plus Parr and Knudsen - genuine full backs and the two young Irish lads pushing on, I hoped for the best. Now three departed, Sears playing wide and clearly a poor defensive & centre midfield unit and zero action!

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Cakeman added 22:05 - Jan 31 Fair point Gcon, perhaps I should not have aired my earlier views on this particular subject. I do wish the Needham lad well and it is a very good opportunity for him.
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WorcesterBlue added 22:05 - Jan 31 But I do wish this lad well. There are some good players in non league and Div 1&2 and I'm glad we're looking at some (albeit never far afield). Just hope he avoids the Bermuda Triangle that our U21s appears to be -lots of potential seems to disappear there! Could it be the 'coaching' set up maybe???
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bedsitfc added 22:09 - Jan 31 I would like someone like carruthers from mk Dons like how he played today against Chelsea and he was their spark when we played them in December. A bit of a play maker and probably a low signing fee.
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bedsitfc added 22:09 - Jan 31 Squad number 14 for mk
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Michael11 added 22:59 - Jan 31 @Guthrum Well I'd much sooner take McGeady needing fitness than Jerome bloody Thomas who's played 9 games in 2 seasons on trial!
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algarvefan added 00:30 - Feb 1 I feel for Mick. The money is obviously not there and perhaps the ambitions held by ME in better financial times are no longer possible. I have never felt so unsure about the future of the club, which with moderate investment would surely be a candidate for promotion to the Premier League. I accept Mick can be a bit stubborn around team selection and tactics but I still think he has done us well with bugger all resources. Lets hope ME moves on soon and a wealthy benefactor just happens to drop by with a ton of cash

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Bert added 01:54 - Feb 1 Evans is a wealthy man but his fingers have been burnt so there is a an understandable reluctance to spend unless the promised land is in sight. He continues to service our debt and MM has to work within the cash envelope he is given. We would all like to see a quality midfielder and a right back added to the squad but alas it is unlikely to happen. Youngsters with promise and perhaps the odd experienced loan player is all we are likely to see. Yes, a few clubs are spending but most are not. That's the realism of football finances today for clubs.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:54 - Feb 1 For all the clubs wanting to get to the promised land, most are going to be disappointed. Really, given our financial outlay in recent times, it's amazing we are even in the mix. But that doesn't stop me being a bit frustrated that we couldn't have invested in a couple of players of extra quality to boost the promotion push when we were so close last year and in a pretty similar position this year. On the one hand, I'm glad our sensible approach will hopefully stop us doing a Bolton. On the other hand, sound investment and forward thinking doesn't seem to have done the Budgies much harm, and that hurts! In other words, I can see both sides of the story. I wonder where we will be in 5 years' time.

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Dissboyitfc added 07:23 - Feb 1 Gcon.... because some of the supporters me included are frustrated at the lack of signings that would give us a fighting chance of going up. Good luck to the lad, nothing wrong with signing players for the future, but even the most easily pleased, never question a single thing supporters would like to see a quality signing or two, surely?
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blues1 added 08:00 - Feb 1 Dissboy. I don't think ne1 would disagree with those who are frustrated we haven't looked( or appear to have), signed ne1. As yet. But this story is about a youn guy bring given a game in the u21s to see if he got the promise to move higher in his football career. I certainly hope he does, as I know him and he's a good player. Been playing for Needham as a holding midfielder mainly, but has an eye for a goal too. Before signing a contract at Needham he played for a Sunday side, I'm now involved in.(wasn't then). In his last season at the club he scored 26 goals from midfield. Ok, yes, it was only Sunday morning football but that's still a good achievement IMO.

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blueherts added 08:17 - Feb 1 Maybe MM convinced ME to use all money on his and TC contract !,I am hoping we will unveil a new attacking mid and striker at least today , if not I am so interested in hearing the rationale a)no money ? But enough to get MM and nice longer contract? b)we have a good enough squad ? Really no Bishop and DIds and lost Oar and Parr So to me we have a weaker squad I hope there is at least a creative midfielder signing Let us see ? Moncur perhaps

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brittaniaman added 09:34 - Feb 1 I would not hold your breath on any new recruitments coming in even though Dids and Bishop will not play this season ???? Tues' evening we will see Hyam and Skuse playing again they are good players in there own rights but not together !!!! Steve was saying where will we be in 5yrs. time Well who knows ??? the way 3 teams come down from the premiership each season with Loadsa Money it makes it harder and harder to get out of this championship on a shoestring ???? Just hope that I am wrong !!!!!!

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nthstd added 09:58 - Feb 1 I think MM has done superb job as a manager, none can dispute that. He has turned many a rough diamond into a right bobby dazzler. The spend of those championship clubs above us is reflected in their position, the premiership droppers are awash with money compared to us. The lack of spend by Town certainly means we will battle hard for the playoffs and if lady luck gets up and wears blue, we'll hopefully get the rub of the green. I have never had a feeling before that the lack of investment would be so detrimental to our chance of promotion, but this season it is definitely the case.

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BrettenhamBlue added 12:01 - Feb 1 No disrespect to this Needham Market player, but have we settled for mid-table safety this season? Our rivals are making some great signings. Meanwhile we look to non-league free transfers or players who have been out of the game for some time. Has MM already decided "safe mid table this season, and invest a bit for next and see where that gets us". Coke, Digby and Toure are nowhere near Championship standard. MM must know that.

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