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Blues Linked With Deadline Move for Villa Youngster - Ipswich Town News

Town are targeting a deadline day loan move for Aston Villa youngster Jordan Graham, according to various reports.

The Coventry-born 18-year-old winger, previously an England U16 and U17 international, is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Premier League side but is a regular in their U21s.

A move for a young wideman would be a surprise with Jordan Adekunle and Jack Doherty the same age and playing the same role, while the Blues only added Stephen Hunt to their more senior wide midfield options a fortnight ago, although Graham plays primarily on the right.

Speaking at the end of last week, manager Mick McCarthy said he had no deals lined-up to go through prior to Thursday’s 5pm loan deadline, although admitted that he would like to make some additions: "Not at the moment, no. I’d like to [bring someone in], just to beef the squad up, but we’ll see.

"It’s a difficulty that because bringing young players in from the Premier League, the first thing they say is that they want them to play because that’s why they’re sending them out.

"Bringing senior players in from other clubs who might be disenchanted, they want to play. Coming here over Christmas, they might [not want to come] if I’m not promising that they’ll play.

"And let me tell you, they’d have to be bloody good players to get in the team, that’s my view. It’s not easy just getting loan players to come and beef the squad up.”

McCarthy was still looking to get Anthony Wordsworth out on loan, a move to Preston having fallen down a fortnight ago, while other younger members of the squad could be sent out for spells to gain experience.

Meanwhile, former Blues skipper Terry Butcher has handed ex-Town U18s captain Liam Craig the armband at Hibernian. Craig skippered the Blues to the 2005 FA Youth Cup during his time at Playford Road.

Elsewhere, former Town striker Michael Chopra will be called to give evidence at a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

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