Town are signing Accrington Stanley's Gary Roberts on an ‘emergency' loan spell until January. The 22-year-old is described as a tricky, pacy left winger and is being brought in to add depth to the midfield.

The Blues are currently without Owen Garvan and Gavin Williams through injury and illness, and will definitely lose Mark Noble when his loan spell ends next month. Town are unable to re-sign the West Ham youngster until January, even if the Hammers are willing to allow him a further spell away from Upton Park.

Roberts started his career as a youngster at Liverpool but moved on to Crewe in 2003. After just four appearances for the Railwaymen the Chester-born player switched to Welsh football where he played with Bangor City, Rhyl and Welshpool Town, playing European football in his time with Bangor.

In 2005 he joined Stanley on a two-year deal and helped them to the Football Conference title last season, winning caps for the England National Game XI, the non-league international team.

Roberts is named in the current League Two Team of the Week for his part in Stanley's 2-0 win at Torquay on Saturday in which he scored his eighth goal of the season. In his time at the Fraser Eagle Stadium Roberts has made 67 appearances and has scored 23 goals.

It is likely the Blues will want to sign Roberts on a permanent deal in January if he impresses in his loan spell and the two clubs may well have already agreed a fee should this be the case.

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