Town boss Mick McCarthy says he expects to sign Fulham’s Ben Pringle on loan in time for Saturday’s game at Bristol City. TWTD first revealed that the Blues were targeting the 26-year-old on Tuesday.
"I’m trying to take Ben Pringle from Fulham, who was at Rotherham last season,” McCarthy said.
"I actually enquired about bringing him here this season but I think the deal with Fulham was already done. I’m hoping to get him in, he’ll give us adequate cover down that side.”
The Town boss says the deal should be done by the weekend with Pringle coming in as cover for Ryan Fraser, although he says he's not a like-for-like replacement for the sidelined Scotland U21 international.
"He’s left-sided midfield player really,” he said. "Let’s clear it up, he’s not Ryan Fraser. I’ve had that discussion with him today and he fully understands that.
"But he can give you that balance on the left-hand side, he can play narrow, he can play on the inside and he has a terrific left foot, he can put great crosses in. So if we’re playing with our strikers, they should get plenty of service.”
Pringle, who will wear the number 15 shirt while with the Blues, is set to join for an initial month but with the option for the deal to be extended to the end of the season.
With central midfield pair Cole Skuse and Giles Coke both injured, he says he has been on the lookout for another loan signing but with no one yet lined-up to come in.
"I’ve had a look but we’ve not got anybody in this week and we’ve enquired,” he added. "Luke Hyam might be fit with his calf and Dougie has only got this game to sit out as well.
"Thankfully, it looks even better, we’ve got the one game and then we don’t have a game until Hull. We’ve got to make sure we take care of this one first.”
McCarthy wouldn’t be drawn into discussing the Blues’ move for free agent wideman Lloyd Dyer - "If he’s in the building you’ll find out and you’ll know all about it!” - and says he expects keeper Michael Crowe to join Braintree for a second month, despite reports that the extension to his spell with the Vanarama National League side is on hold due to a knee problem.
"I spoke to him this morning and he was telling me what games he’s got. He’s got Barrow-in-Furness. He didn’t know where it was, I’ve just enlightened him and now he’s got a knee injury!" the Town boss joked. "He’s all right, as far as I’m concerned he’s going back there.”
He says there’s been no further interest in taking any of his other young players on loan: "No, none of them, but to be honest, this week of all weeks I wouldn’t be encouraging any of them to go back out on loan.”