Town are reported to be interested in signing Birmingham's Australian international Neil Kilkenny on loan. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has started only twice for Steve Bruce's side this season and was an unused sub at Portman Road on Monday.

Kilkenny, who was with Arsenal's Academy before moving on to St Andrew's in 2004, has made 10 senior starts and 26 sub appearances for Birmingham but is yet to score. A loan spell with Oldham in 2004/05 — alongside his former Birmingham team-mate Alex Bruce - saw the midfielder make 34 appearances and net five goals.

Contracted to the Midlanders until 2009, the 5ft 8in tall player's Premier League debut at home to Liverpool was notable for an 83rd minute red card after he handled the ball on the goal-line.

Born in Enfield, Kilkenny moved to Brisbane as a child and made his international debut for Australia last June, coming on as a sub in a 3-1 win against Liechtenstein in Germany. Kilkenny chose to represent the Socceroos despite previously winning England U20 caps and also qualifying for the Republic of Ireland.

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