Defender Danny Collins will now be with the Blues for an extra week after he briefly returned to Stoke during the international break. The 31-year-old’s 93-day spell was temporarily halted while he spent time with his fiancée Danielle after she gave birth to their son five weeks early.
Manager Paul Jewell explained the situation: "Danny's been with his family and went back to Stoke for a short while but we've recalled him again.
"It made sense for a number of reasons and means he will now be with us for the Derby game on December 17th."
Jewell feels that this, in addition to regular changes of central defensive partner, is probably behind Collins’s recent dip in form: "I don’t care who you are. When you have something as important as that, it can affect you.”
Previously the Blues boss has said he is keen to see the Wales international at Portman Road when the transfer window reopens in January with the player also interested in extending his time with Town.
Meanwhile, Leyton Orient are reported to have asked about striker Tamás Priskin's availability for loan during the ongoing talks regarding Town's interest in winger George Porter.
Priskin, back in favour with the Blues and in goalscoring form with Hungary over the last fortnight, is unlikely to be interested in a drop into League One having turned down a loan to Leeds earlier in the campaign.