Town failed in a renewed attempt to sign Kevin Kilbane from Hull City before the veteran Irishman moved on loan to Huddersfield over the weekend, according to reports in Ireland. The 33-year-old is the second target the Blues have failed to land on loan this week with Bolton’s Andy O’Brien agreeing to join Leeds United on a permanent basis.

Kilbane was amongst the experienced players Roy Keane has previously said he looked to sign in the summer - along with the likes of Shaun Derry and Lee Carsley - with the club unable to deals with any of them, much to the Town manager’s frustration.

Earlier in the week, Bolton manager Owen Coyle revealed that the Blues had been given permission to speak to O’Brien, but both Leeds and Cardiff City are reported to have been offering significantly better personal terms than Town.

O'Brien has agreed to join Leeds, where he has been on loan since October, on a permanent contract.

Town owner and chairman Marcus Evans again appears to be limiting the funds available to the Blues boss, Keane commenting that the club’s transfer plans would be played “by ear” over the weekend.

Keane, who has said he is looking to sign at least two players in the transfer window and perhaps as many as four, has admitted that he may have to look at loaning out or selling some of the club’s current players in order to bring more in.

Photo: Action Images

SonOfSpock added 09:09 - Jan 6 Another failed signing attempt? What a surprise. Wouldn't be surprised if we end up with no Loans or Purchases.
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warwickblue added 09:10 - Jan 6 Well, we were told that we'd know something by Thursday...so this is it eh? We have failed to attract yet more 30+ players to the club. Still, it must be the geography - after all Huddersfield is the epicentre of the social universe.
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nudge1977 added 09:10 - Jan 6 Wow, what a signing kk would have been, NOT, but he fits the bill he's a journeyman, and he's Irish, and has he played for RK before? This is just a joke, why would we want an old duffer like this, RK bring in some young blood that is hungry from the lower divisions, not has Beene that were never any good in the first place.
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Warkalone added 09:14 - Jan 6 Kilbane! Always been a donkey. Need to get rid of Keane, now or move the club to Cork. Grrr
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cornishnick added 09:17 - Jan 6 ME just needs to make his mind up, and back him or sack him NOW! We seem to be in a dangerous limbo at the moment.
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fourpee added 09:21 - Jan 6 I blame it on the location...
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Legend added 09:25 - Jan 6 I blame it on the boogie...
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Surco72 added 09:27 - Jan 6 Kilbane and Kennedy could have done a job share between them on the left as both past it . Trying to sign a player who couldnt get in that dire Hull side i watched recently ,just about sums up Keanes view of where our team is going . Why cant he see that at the start of the season with Hyam,Townsend,Stead,Priskin,Peters all playing we scored and won games and that since his loan deals have arrived we have struggled very badly

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PablosRightBoot added 09:33 - Jan 6 Maybe he had a nice chat with Jon Walters who advised him against signing for us
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TimmyH added 09:35 - Jan 6 this time an ex-sunderland player, he's past it - get a grip Keane!
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brian_a_mul added 09:40 - Jan 6 Kilbane is another left sided player, whats the point? I like "Zinadine" Kilbane for his honesty, work rate and experience but he wont offer too much in terms of improving the playing squad. Keane knows he is a popular player and would look to Kilbane to improve the morale of the team. Kilbane is also looking for guarenteed football to keep his place in the Ireland team (Coleman seems to be ready to take his place), this is the likely reason he diddnt sign for us. Andy O'Brien would have been an excellent signing. We have too many inexperienced CBs. I agree that Peters, Priskin and Hyam should be getting far more game time. Stead is a good goalscorer but so too is Scotland with service. I would rate them more or less the same.

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jonny_wark added 09:44 - Jan 6 I don't think Mr Evans wants to give Keane any more money, but doesn't want to sack him either. Just keep him happy till end of season so he doesn't have to pay him off. I think if we weren't still in the Carling cup Keane would've been gone by now but Mr Evans is letting him carry on, on the slim chance he gets us to Wembley.
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MyBlueHeaven added 09:45 - Jan 6 Kilbane's a lot better than people give him credit for, and wouldn't have been a bad signing at beginning of season as the experienced pro to help the team/younger players but... i can't see what he would add at this stage - just another midfielder for Keane to have more selection dilemmas over. It's interesting - but not surprising - that he chose to play for Lee Clarke ahead of Keane, and wanting to play for a team on the up.

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osborne1nil added 09:51 - Jan 6 Surely if funds are being restricted (good sign his time is up?) then look to use what money is available to get a good player from league 1 who is hungry to play and prove himself than an ageing player who is looking to see out his career? The fact it is another Irishman who has played for Keane again shows the limited number of contacts and quality of our scouting network (if we still have one). How is Kilbane going improve our lack of goals, which must surely be the number 1 priority, well 2 if you count Keane going as number 1. M.E., hopefully you are busy interviewing potential managers to replace Keane due to the lack of response from SC and the club?? Keane Out.

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Keaneish added 09:56 - Jan 6 Comedy gold! Plenty more of these to surface no doubt! Can anyone tell me exactly what our club can do right at the moment!?
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naa added 10:10 - Jan 6 This is ridiculous! Firstly, Kilbane hasn't been any good for a very long time. Hull fans thought he was a waste of space, and they've hardly been setting the division on fire. Secondly, why restrict Keane's spending? If you don't think he's up to it and so don't want him to waste our transfer kitty, then sack him. If you intend to keep him here until the end of the season, then let him get some players in if that's what he wants to do. Personally I think Keane's time here should have been ended a long time ago, but by this form of inaction Evans is doing the worst of the situation. As someone else said, back him or sack him.

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Lightningboy added 10:10 - Jan 6 Spot on surco re the team at the beginning of the season...if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it....pretty much like the squad we had when Keane took over,he stated we only needed 1 or 2 players!!
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bluelady added 10:11 - Jan 6 clearly feels he has more chance of championship football next season with Huddersfield than he does with town!!!
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BlooooCD added 10:27 - Jan 6 Dark, dark days I fear... We just can't even attract any dross now either! We have to make radical changes to our apprach, attitude and infrastructure! Keane is loathed across the land (unlike Hughton or most ther managers for that) and cannot attarct any players - Unless they are either Irish, Sunderalnd or way past their sell-by date! We are becoming last chance saloon for others crap! No clubs will help us with him at the helm.. Spurs did it for a deal with Wickham and Bruce does it because he knows Keane will take his crap off him! New manager needed now! DO NOT give Keane another penny!!! Just a P45 please.... COYB's! Looking forwrad to the trip to Chelski, not a bad time to face them me thinks...

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GetInTheGameScowcrof added 10:32 - Jan 6 Hmmm, fully understand why he'd rather go to Huddersfield! At least they're going somewhere! Oh and they haven't got an @rse of a manager!
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GiveusaWave added 10:44 - Jan 6 Agreed Keanish,- its time for ME to act and either back his manager with his signings or terminate his contract. Inaction at this point could prove disastrous. Other clubs are looking to strengthen and making significant signings. Once more, we are not. We NEED A RIGHT BACK KEANE- Get in Greg Halford or someone like that! We NEED a BACK-UP Goalie- If necessary,-sign Carroll on a short-term deal We NEED 2 creative players who are DIFFERENT to the ones we have (sign exciting Spaniard and Portuguese guys to give us some flair and creativity -and maybe the odd dive here and there!) BRING SOME EXCITEMENT TO THIS CLUB!!!! IF WE SEE BETTER FOOTBALL THE FANS WILL RESPOND!!! Whats the point? You made your intentions clear with the return of our best player (Townsend)

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streety86 added 10:47 - Jan 6 BORING
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lunatic38 added 11:16 - Jan 6 Who would want to work for Roy Keane? i have read some players have nearly signed but did not because of "this that and the other" but We are really struggling here because it seems to Me that no one wants to be near Roy Keane (if they have other options) be prepared to loose big Mac because even though he will close ranks and wont say nought until he has gone i bet any one he will not renew his contract!! Keane Out!!!!1

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ThatMuhrenCross added 11:41 - Jan 6 Shame. Would have been a sensational signing. In fact, I mentioned on Saturday that we should have signed him - but got a load of abuse from several clueless TWTD message board posters. Just goes to show - I'm thinking like a real manager would - not a FIFA 11 one.
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Garv added 12:16 - Jan 6 Yawn, no surprise. Just sack the man for goodness sake.
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