Central defender Gerard Nash has been handed a week-to-week deal with the Blues. The 20-year-old Irishman, who had two cruciate knee ligament operations while with the academy, was released at the end of 2006/07 but new boss Jim Magilton offered him the chance to impress during pre-season.

Magilton told the club site: "Gerard is on a week-to-week contract here and will play in some reserve games and we'll take it from there.

"He's a fantastic lad and will do anything to play for this club, and I mean anything, but sentiment goes out the window in football.

"We are both honest guys and I have spelt out to Gerard what is expected of him. He in turn knows he has to be straight with us and if he feels anything in his knee, we will know about it.

"The Championship is a tough league to play in and you have to be 100 per cent fit to compete. Gerard will know if he's 100 per cent and so will I."

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