As expected Town defender Gary Croft has joined Cardiff City on loan until the end of the season. Bluebirds' boss Lennie Lawrence watched him in action for the reserves at Derby's Baseball Ground on Tuesday night.

Croft has a year left on his deal at Portman Road but looks likely to leave before then.

The 28-year-old joined Town for £540,000 from Blackburn Rovers in September 1999 and has made only 26 starts (+11 as sub) for the Blues, scoring one goal, on his debut against Manchester City at Portman Road.

The former Grimsby man has already spent a month on loan at Wigan this season, playing seven times for the Latics.

Cardiff boss Lawrence was pleased to add Croft to his squad: "Gary is a two-footed player who can play on either side of a back four, or as a wing-back. He has a good pedigree and is very experienced."

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