A newspaper report claims that Everton midfielder Lee Carsley is a Town loan target. Blues' manager Joe Royle admitted last week that he would like to take a second player on a short-term deal ahead of the weekend trip to West Brom.

Carsley, an Irish international colleague of Matt Holland, has not been involved for the Toffees so far this season after suffering a knee injury in pre-season.

However he played 45 minutes for Ireland against Russia on Saturday and looks close to fitness, although whether Everton would want to loan a player who was largely in their starting line-up last season looks debatable.

Blackburn left winger Alan Mahon officially joined Town on loan on Monday evening. The 25-year-old looks set to make his debut on Saturday at West Brom. The Blues are paying an undisclosed proportion of his wages while he spends three months at at Portman Road.

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