Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that, as revealed by TWTD earlier this afternoon, Everton midfielder Conor Grant is joining the Blues on a season-long loan, while trialist Roland Lamah has not been offered terms and Cameron Stewart, Piotr Malarczyk and Giles Coke are also available for transfer or loan.
"He’s had league experience with Doncaster last year, he was flying,” McCarthy said of 21-year-old Grant, who trained with his new team-mates this morning. "We were having him watched and he was doing really well, as were Doncaster.
"It coincided with him going back to Everton through injury that Doncaster had a bit of a slide.
"He’s a left-sider, gives us a bit of balance. He’s more of a left-sided midfield player than a tricky, flying winger.
"But he’s very talented, a wand of a left foot and he’s impressed everyone this morning with his freekicks and corners. He’ll be a good signing for us.”
Grant, who recently signed a new two-year contract with Everton, will wear the number 28 shirt while with the Blues.
Regarding trialist Lamah, who played in the friendlies against Charlton and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, McCarthy added: "Roland’s not coming, Roland had other options, to be fair, and I think he’s exercising those options, to be quite honest.”
The Blues boss says the additions of Grant Ward and Conor Grant will be the extent of his business for the moment at least with no other signings imminent.
"Not before the weekend and I’m certainly not as anxious to get anybody now because we’ve just signed two of them," he said.
"It is before Saturday. We’ll see. Let’s see how we start, then we’ll decide.”
As TWTD reported on Sunday, McCarthy has been keeping his eye on Crystal Palace wideman Sullay Kaikai, but refused to be drawn on his interest: "There’s loads of names get mentioned.”
As for exits, the Town boss said: "Cameron Stewart’s still available, he’s available for loan or for transfer. He’s had a decent pre-season but he’s in his third season, the last year of his contract.
"Conor Grant’s come in, Grant Ward can play on that side as well, so can Freddie Sears, so he’s down the pecking order in that respect, so I think it’s better than he moves on.
"Piotr Malarczyk too, Giles Coke when he’s fit because he’s been missing and he’s behind a few good players now that are all in front of him.
"If I can get some who are not looking like they’re going to play out on loan or transfer them that would be great. Hopefully that happens.”
Photo: ITFC