Derby County are keen on signing Town midfielder Darren Currie when the January transfer window opens, according to a weekend tabloid. Currie doesn't appear to be in Jim Magilton's long-term plans, despite being used as a sub against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

The midfielder, 32 later this month, is out of contract at the end of June next year and the Blues would probably allow him to leave on a free transfer or for a small fee.

Magilton will trim his squad during January with fringe players such as Currie, Sito and Scott Barron likely to be moving on. One or two more of Town's youngsters will probably go out on loan, Lewis Price perhaps amongst them if Czech keeper Jaroslav Drobný's current short-term deal is turned into a more permanent stay at Portman Road. The former Fulham man has impressed during his spell with the Blues.

The Town manager is also likely to be targeting the permanent signing of a right-back and also a striker if he decides not to keep Crystal Palace loanee Jon Macken beyond his initial half-season spell.

Meanwhile, none of Town's loanees were in action during the weekend's FA Cup ties. The Blues denied Yeovil and Brighton permission to field Martin Brittain and Dean Bowditch in their games, while Ian Miller was unable to be involved with Boston as he played for Bury Town in the early stages of the competition.

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