Birmingham keeper Colin Doyle is reported to be close to joining the Blues on a free transfer. Doyle, 26, was previously targeted by Town after Shane Supple’s retirement in 2009 during Roy Keane’s time as manager.

Irish international Doyle, who played for the Midlanders against the Blues at Portman Road earlier in the month, is out of contract at the end of the season and is likely to be looking for regular first team football having been second-choice throughout his time at St Andrew’s.

Winner of one full cap in addition to appearances at U21 and B levels, Cork-born Doyle joined Birmingham at 15 and has since spent time on loan at Chester, Nottingham Forest, Millwall and Coventry.

Since signing a professional deal with Birmingham in 2003, the 6ft 5in tall keeper has made 42 starts and five substitute appearances for his parent club plus 19 starts and one game from the bench for his loan sides.

With Boaz Myhill out with a knee injury, Doyle is likely to feature for Birmingham during the play-offs as his club look to bounce back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Town are likely to be on the look-out for two keepers over the summer with Richard Wright and Cody Cropper having been released, while on-loan Reading glovesman Alex McCarthy, the first-choice for much of the second half of the season, was recalled by Reading in March.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Marshalls_Mullet added 00:35 - Apr 27 I am not commenting on the validity or otherwise of any transfer speculation. However, this will disappoint the flouncers who like to consider the release of Wright and Cropper to be a disaster that will leave us with only one keeper come next season.
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robdaful added 00:35 - Apr 27 Think he would be alright, would prefer Brad Guzman (spelling) Will be intresting to see how he plays in the play-offs (if he does play that is)
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blueoff added 00:43 - Apr 27 Does this mean jewell wont get pat jennings
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Campag_Velocet added 00:50 - Apr 27 I hope there's no truth in this, as at best, he'd make a great backup keeper, and we already have ALB for that. He'll be 27 by the start of the season, and he's played less than 50 games for Birmingham, and he's not played more than ten times for any of his loan clubs - no-one's seen him as a number 1 before. He's a bit old to suddenly become a Championship number 1 keeper.

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neilvanlimbeek added 00:51 - Apr 27 Good mate of mines a massive Bluenose and ex Academy coach - he rates him highly so thats good enough for me!
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hollywoodginge added 01:10 - Apr 27 Campag - 26 is no age for a keeper
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Garv added 01:15 - Apr 27 'He's a bit old to suddenly become a Championship number 1 keeper.' 27 is not 'old', especially for a keeper! Kelvin Davis was about 26/27 when he joined us and was certainly what you'd call a number one (and the last really good keeper we had). He's 35 now and still as good as ever it seems having held down his spot in Southampton's team all season, and looks set to do so in the premier league next season. Have no idea about this guy to be honest so I can't really comment.

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Keaneish added 01:24 - Apr 27 Most importantly, how did he play when we drew 1-1 the other week? I heard he kept them in the game. Is that right? I welcome decent free signings if it means we can splash some cash on Ward, Pearce and *ahem*...Jordan Rhodes!!!!
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TractorBeezer added 01:41 - Apr 27 26 and 6ft 5in.
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TractorBeezer added 01:43 - Apr 27 26 years old, 6ft 5in and free. Got my attention so far!
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SMS added 02:02 - Apr 27 AMAZING. YES PLEASE
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Behind_Enemy_Lines added 02:42 - Apr 27 it seems he is better than what we currently have so a no brainer then, looks good to me and at 6,5 inches should be good for set pieces and crosses into the box. p.s he is also free !!!!
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Marcus added 04:50 - Apr 27 "Too old, not playing regular football and too short." We need a 7'+ experienced international 12yo who's first choice for a top premier league team or some people will keep complaining.
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Keaneish added 05:25 - Apr 27 ...skinny, taller Tim Flowers!
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Len_Brennan added 05:50 - Apr 27 Not a bad shout I suppose, ticks a lot of the right boxes. I seem to remember him playing regularly for them in the Premiership until having an absolute 'mare in one game & not really hearing of him since, until he played against us the other week. I would prefer Brad Guzan, but this must please those who think that anyone over 30 is scrapheap material.
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planetblue_2011 added 06:48 - Apr 27 I think he will be a good shout. It will give Lee Barrett competition. We do need a decent number 1 keeper so hopefully he's the man for the job. And he's free!!!
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planetblue_2011 added 06:51 - Apr 27 I think he will be a good shout. It will give Lee Barrett competition. We do need a decent number 1 keeper so hopefully he's the man for the job. And he's free!!!
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51blue added 07:18 - Apr 27 Thought he had a good game against us!
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itfcjoe added 07:23 - Apr 27 Would be a good signing in my eyes, good age for a GK to establish themselves and seems to have decent pedigree. Will watch play offs with interest now
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brittaniaman added 07:25 - Apr 27 Well we have definately got to have a goalkeeper as a priority on the shopping list,,, because at the moment all we have got left is a no.2 goalkeeper ?????
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bontcho added 07:28 - Apr 27 Phil, you keep saying we need two new keepers. I don't see that. As long as we have a new regular number 1 and ALB as back up we'll be fine. The loan rules mean we can cover injuries. True a youngster may be nice but hardly a priority.
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DiamondGezzer added 07:28 - Apr 27 The first of two ?
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Surco72 added 07:58 - Apr 27 Played well against us and a big imposing figure .What i like is that we are sorting things out early with people leaving and others hopefully signing ready for a good pre season
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Mark added 07:59 - Apr 27 Sounds an interesting target. We must must must get a permanent first choice goalkeeper. Lee-Barrett is fine for a number two, but I agree we should bring in a third choice goalkeeper too, ideally someone around 17-19 who could sit on the bench if Lee-Barrett had to play.
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eaii added 08:17 - Apr 27 He will do, better to have a GK join the ranks rather than just have ALB?
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