Town manager Joe Royle looks to be keen to bring in a loan signing ahead of the busy Christmas period. The Blues have been short on numbers all season and Royle is concerned that two of his players are now on four bookings and close to suspensions.

Drissa Diallo picked up his fourth card of the season on Saturday, while Kevin Horlock reached a similar total last week.

Royle says that Premiership clubs have leaner squads these days and securing loan signings isn't as easy as it was a couple of years ago, however, he is hopeful he can add to the players at his disposal: "Midfield is out neediest area and I would like to get at least one player in.

"We are strong when everyone is fit but we saw at Sunderland, when Tommy Miller was injured, that we are short of bodies."

Royle says that the club would be "sympathetic" should skipper Jim Magilton want a move to Oxford United as player-manager, although the Town manager is very keen to hold on to the 35-year-old.

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