Town are hoping to complete the loan signing of not just Daryl Murphy from Sunderland, but also his team-mate David Healy before today's 5pm deadline. Talks are continuing this afternoon with the club looking to complete the loan signing of both players until the end of the season.
Like Murphy, Healy has been consistently linked with the Blues in the past, particularly during fellow Northern Irishman Jim Magilton’s spell as boss.
Killyleagh-born Healy started his career with Manchester United, during which time he spent spells on loan at Port Vale and Preston, eventually signing on full-time with the Lilywhites in 2001.
After a loan spell at Norwich, Healy moved on to Leeds and then Fulham, before then Sunderland boss Roy Keane paid the Cottagers £1.2 million for his services in August 2008.
The frontman, who has never replicated his Northern Ireland form of 35 goals in 78 games at club level, has made only three starts - none in the league - and 18 sub appearance since joining the Black Cats, scoring just three goals.
The 30-year-old is contracted to Sunderland until the summer of 2011.