Town failed in a renewed attempt to sign Kevin Kilbane from Hull City before the veteran Irishman moved on loan to Huddersfield over the weekend, according to reports in Ireland. The 33-year-old is the second target the Blues have failed to land on loan this week with Bolton’s Andy O’Brien agreeing to join Leeds United on a permanent basis.
Kilbane was amongst the experienced players Roy Keane has previously said he looked to sign in the summer - along with the likes of Shaun Derry and Lee Carsley - with the club unable to deals with any of them, much to the Town manager’s frustration.
Earlier in the week, Bolton manager Owen Coyle revealed that the Blues had been given permission to speak to O’Brien, but both Leeds and Cardiff City are reported to have been offering significantly better personal terms than Town.
O'Brien has agreed to join Leeds, where he has been on loan since October, on a permanent contract.
Town owner and chairman Marcus Evans again appears to be limiting the funds available to the Blues boss, Keane commenting that the club’s transfer plans would be played "by ear” over the weekend.
Keane, who has said he is looking to sign at least two players in the transfer window and perhaps as many as four, has admitted that he may have to look at loaning out or selling some of the club’s current players in order to bring more in.