Town boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that the Blues are close to completing the signing of Manchester City defender Reece Wabara on a 93-day loan. The 19-year-old right-back or centre-half is set to join the club later today.
Jewell said: "We’re trying to sign Reece. He’s an England U20 international, he was with their squad in Colombia in the summer. I spoke to Manchester City on Monday and hopefully that will get done today.
"Carlos has done exceptionally well, certainly the system we’re playing suits him, he’s a good attacking full-back.
"But we’ve let Jaime Peters go to Bournemouth and although Jack Ainsley’s done well, I just feel we need a bit more cover for Carlos at right-back. If the lad comes in and does well, like any player, he will stay in."
Wabara has played much of his football at centre-half but Jewell sees him as a right-back: "He can play centre-back, he has played there for Manchester City quite a bit, but he’s probably just not quite big enough to play at centre-back.
"He’s quick and he’s strong. I spoke to him last night and he’s very keen, has a lot of confidence in his own ability. I’ve told him that he comes here he has to fight for his place and he’s more than willing to do that. Hopefully, he’ll be here tonight.”
Wabara was first linked with Town earlier in the week when Reading, Millwall and Blackpool were also reported to be interested in the 19-year-old.
The player tweeted that he is close to a loan switch earlier today: "Morning all! My move should be completed very shortly will let you all know when it's done."
The England U20 international joined City from Walsall as a youngster and signed a new three-year professional deal earlier in the year.
City are willing to allow the Birmingham-born player to move on a short-term spell to get games under his belt with his first team experience so far limited to one sub appearance on the final day of last season.
Wabara comes from a sporting family with ex- Liverpool winger Mark Walters and heavyweight boxer Pele Reid his father Martin’s half-brothers. His grandfather, Lawrence Wabara, was an international footballer with Nigeria in the 1950s.
Jewell says there are no new injuries, aside from Daryl Murphy who is a doubt for Saturday's home game against Brighton with the hamstring problem he sustained during the warm-up at West Ham on Tuesday.
Mark Kennedy should be back training today after his calf problem, while the Blues manager says Ãvar Ingimarsson is fit and ready to get back in the side: "He’s chomping at the bit to try and get a chance.”
Lee Martin is over his tonsillitis but Jewell says the winger has suffered another setback: "He’s got a problem with his eye, he was playing golf on his day off.
"I don’t quite know what yet but he was at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London yesterday, so I’m expecting a report. Hopefully that won’t be too serious.”