Fulham keeper David Stockdale looks set to become Town’s sixth signing of the summer with talks regarding his season-long loan having continued over the weekend. On Friday, Blues boss Paul Jewell revealed that he was hoping to make two signings by Monday, one a loanee and one a permanent addition, believed to be Arsenal striker or wideman Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
The Stockdale deal is understood to be the more progressed of the two with a loan requiring less paperwork than a permanent switch.
As reported on Saturday, Stockdale’s hometown club Leeds are understood to have ended their interest in the 25-year-old after failing to agree terms on a deal with the Cottagers. Fulham’s insistence on a recall clause is believed to have been the sticking point.
Over the weekend, Stockdale tweeted that he was in Leeds but explained that this was to attend his "God son’s baptism”. The former York and Darlington man is likely to be at Portman Road on Monday.
A £1 million fee is understood to have been agreed for Arsenal striker or wideman Jay Emmanuel-Thomas with talks on that deal also continuing in the last couple of days. One report over the weekend claimed fees had also been agreed with Burnley and Portsmouth.
Meanwhile, former Town defender Rory McKeown lashed in a 25-yarder on his senior debut as new club Kilmarnock drew 1-1 at Dundee United in their opening game of the season earlier today.
Killie manager Kenny Shiels believes the 18-year-old, released by the Town academy at the end of his scholarship in May, has what it takes to go a long way: "Rory played for me at 13 as an outside left. He played in my excellence programme in Northern Ireland.
"I've always seen the potential in Rory. I think he is one who can develop into a very good left-back.
"Ipswich signed him, before he was released at the end of last season. I feel Rory has the strength of character to bounce back and prove people wrong."