Central defender Tommy Smith is set to join Colchester United on loan until the end of the season. Smith, 20, is yet to make an appearance for the Blues under Paul Jewell’s management.
Jewell said: "Tommy Smith’s going out on loan to Colchester. I spoke to Colchester and John Ward yesterday and he’s going there just to give get some games so we can have a good look at him and he can come back to us next season with some games under his belt.
"Unfortunately for Colchester he goes away with New Zealand to Japan and China on Sunday, but I think it will be great for Tommy to get some games. He’ll be there until the end of the season, but we will have a 24-hour recall after the first month.”
Colchester boss Ward, who tried to sign Smith last month, was delighted to make the addition to his squad: "He is a good player, he has international pedigree and is due to go and play in China and Japan soon, subject to the current situation out there.
"He will be with us for seven or eight of the last 10 games and we're pleased to bring him in.
"We saw him in the recent reserve team game against us and he played very well. Paul Jewell has been brilliant - we have had lots of conversations about Tommy and they have been good to let him join us."
Jewell continues to look for lower league clubs for the club’s first and second-year professionals to join on loan with Ronan Murray already at Torquay until the end of the season and Ian McLoughlin at Stockport for a month.
Meanwhile, released Town full-back Seb Dunbar has signed for Ryman League Division One North side Maldon and Tiptree. Dunbar, who left the Blues in January, was previously on trial at Colchester.