Town have given permission for Matt Richards and Billy Clarke to play for their loan clubs in this weekend's FA Cup first round. Initially the Blues made all five of their players on loan with domestic clubs unavailable for the competition.

Richards and Brighton face Hartlepool at the Withdean, while Clarke and Darlington take on Droylsden, also on home turf.

Dean Bowditch is unavailable to Brentford, Liam Trotter to Grimsby and Dan Harding to Southend, although the latter is out of action for a couple of weeks with a hamstring problem in any case.

Meanwhile, Town have lost out in a race to sign 15-year-old Norway-based goalkeeper Sean McDermott, according to reports in the Norwegian media.

McDermott, who is currently with Norwegian club VÃ¥g, had apparently been interesting the Blues, Tottenham, Manchester United, Reading, Falkirk, Manchester City, Charlton, Portsmouth and Rangers, but has decided to join Arsenal's academy full-time next summer.

Elsewhere, former Blue Dean McDonald has parted company with Blue Square Premier side Rushden and Diamonds by mutual consent.

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