Fulham winger Ben Pringle is expected to formalise a 93-day emergency loan with the Blues in time to go into the squad for Saturday’s game at Bristol City. Yesterday, TWTD was first to reveal that Town were moving for the 26-year-old as cover for the injured Ryan Fraser.
The Blues were previously keen on signing Pringle in the summer when he was a free agent having turned down a contract at Rotherham but the 26-year-old opted to join the Cottagers on a two-year deal with an option for a further season.
Since moving to Craven Cottage the Newcastle-born wideman or central midfielder has made 15 starts and three sub appearances, scoring two goals, but his last game was on December 29th, while his most recent start came earlier that month.
Pringle joined the Millers in 2011 from Derby County, having previously been playing in non-league with Newcastle Blue Star, Morpeth Town and Ilkeston Town, after a spell with West Brom’s academy as a youngster. While with Derby he spent time on loan with Torquay.
Pringle, whose set pieces led to both Rotherham’s goals in their 2-0 victory over the Blues in February 2015, made 154 starts and 14 sub appearances for the Millers, scoring 22 goals, and helped them to promotion from League Two as runners-up in 2012/13 and League One via the play-offs in 2013/14.
As with previous loans at this stage of the season, Pringle may join on an initial month before the deal is extended to its full 93 days at a later date to allow a break to ensure he plays as many games as possible during his time at Portman Road.
Meanwhile, Town’s move for free agent ex-Watford wideman Lloyd Dyer is now looking less likely to go through with talks having stalled.
As reported yesterday, the two parties have failed to come to an agreement regarding personal terms following the former West Brom and Leicester man’s Hornets exit last week.
The Blues are two widemen short after the recent departure of Tommy Oar and Fraser having suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s game at QPR.
Town boss Mick McCarthy is set to confirm the extent of the on-loan AFC Bournemouth man’s problem at his Thursday pre-match press conference.