Daryl Murphy is close to rejoining the Blues for a third loan spell, according to reports in Ireland this morning. Murphy, whose Celtic contract is up at the end of the season, was with the Blues for the whole of the last campaign and the second half of 2009/10.
The 29-year-old midfielder or striker, who returned to training yesterday after a hamstring injury, is surplus to requirements at Parkhead and is understood to be keen on a return to Suffolk with his family having settled in the area during his most recent spell here.
Capped nine times by Ireland, Murphy, who had trials with the Blues when a Waterford United player in 2004/05 before opting to join Premier League Sunderland, made 32 starts and two sub appearances last season, almost all at left midfield, scoring four goals.
At the end of the campaign Paul Jewell said he was keen to sign Murphy on a permanent basis but wasn’t confident a deal could be done.
Speaking in July, he said: "I’ve spoken with Daryl’s agent a few times and if they want a fee, with his wages, we just can’t afford it. It’s no secret that Daryl’s on a good contract at Celtic.
"I thought he did well for us at the back end of the season. We would be interested in Daryl if the deal was right, but I get the feeling that it’s going to be an expensive deal for us to do.”