Wigan midfielder Tony Dinning is set to sign a two-month loan with Town today. Town manager Joe Royle is keen to add to the number of midfielders in his squad.

Royle says he has rated Dinning for some time: "Tony is still only 29 but a very good player. I remember him particularly well from when he was at Stockport and went on to be almost a £1m player.

"He has been pushed out a little at Wigan and we have given him two months to show what he can do and if he proves himself he could land a permanent deal."

Town lined-up 4-3-3 against Gillingham on Saturday but only due to lack of numbers in midfield. Over the summer the likes of Martijn Reuser and Jermaine Wright left, while skipper Jim Magilton was out injured.

Dinning started his career at Newcastle alongside former Blue Alun Armstrong and like the striker moved on to Stockport.

He stayed with the Cheshire club for six years making 226 appearances and scoring 30 goals. In September 2000 Wolves signed him for £700,000 but a year later he was sent on loan at Wigan, eventually signing for the Latics in a £750,000 deal.

In 2002 he had a loan spell at Stoke and last season spent periods on loan at Walsall and Blackpool.

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