Town have signed West Ham keeper Stephen Henderson on loan. The Blues are expected to confirm the deal on Tuesday but we understand that the Irishman has been at the club today.
Henderson was one of the trio of Portsmouth players the Blues targeted in January prior to his switch to Upton Park. Despite lengthy negotiations, the Blues were unable to agree a deal for any of the three.
In March he joined the Hammers on a temporary loan with a view to a permanent deal in the summer when he signed a three-year contract. However, since then he has made only two starts in the Capital One Cup.
Republic of Ireland U21 international keeper Henderson had joined Pompey from Bristol City in the summer of 2011 having failed to usurp ex-England international David James at Ashton Gate.
Henderson, who stands 6ft 4in tall, had previously spent time on loan at York, Weymouth, Aldershot and Yeovil, and the Glovers’ Player of the Year award in 2010/11.
The Dubliner comes from a goalkeeping dynasty. Grandfather Paddy played for Shamrock Rovers in the 1960s, his father, also named Stephen, played, managed and coached at various sides in the League of Ireland.
His uncle Dave also played in the League of Ireland, for amongst others Shamrock Rovers, and another uncle, Wayne, currently plays for Preston and the Republic of Ireland.
Scott Loach and Arran Lee-Barrett are the club's current senior keepers with the former Watford man widely criticised for his performance in the recent 2-1 home defeat to Cardiff City.
Town, who signed free agent Nigel Reo-Coker on a three-month short-term deal on Saturday, already have Massimo Luongo, Daryl Murphy, Guirane N'Daw, Danny Higginbotham, DJ Campbell, Bilel Mohsni and Richie Wellens on loan.
Clubs are permitted to name five domestic loan players in a matchday squad with Henderson the sixth. Murphy (Celtic) and N'Daw (St Etienne) don't count to this total with their parent clubs from 'foreign' associations.