West Brom left-back Joe Mattock has yet again been linked with a loan move to the Blues. The former Leicester man, who is currently out of action with a thigh injury, has been repeatedly mentioned in connection with Town, most recently last week.
Town are said to be ready to sign the England U21 international once he recovers from his injury, although left-back appears to be an area of the team where the Blues are well covered. Shane O’Connor and Mark Kennedy are making progress after their recent injuries and may be in the reserves side at Southend tomorrow afternoon (KO 2pm), while Darren O’Dea is likely to be available after the international break despite his knee problem.
Jaime Peters played at left full-back at Reading, while Tommy Smith and Damien Delaney have also operated in that position during Roy Keane’s time in charge. Town appear more likely to be looking for a right-back, although Keane said no loan moves were imminent prior to the Leeds match.
Mattock, 20, was first mentioned in connection with the Blues last summer, prior to him joining the Baggies from hometown club Leicester City for a fee of £1 million, the link resurfacing in June and then again more recently.
The 5ft 11in tall full-back came through the youth system at Leicester, where Town first team coach Tony Loughlan worked between 2003 and 2006, and made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in April 2007.
Having been capped by England at U15, U16, U17 and U19 levels, Mattock became the second-youngest player after Theo Walcott to appear for the U21s when he won the first of his five caps in a 2-1 victory over Bulgaria in November 2008.
Meanwhile, ex-Town loan right-back Liam Rosenior continues to be linked with Leicester City despite manager Paulo Sousa being replaced by Sven-Goran Eriksson. Rosenior has been without a club since being released by Reading in the summer, having spent the final year of his spell with the Royals at Portman Road.