Town boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that the Blues are close to completing the signing of Manchester City defender Reece Wabara on a 93-day loan. The 19-year-old right-back or centre-half is set to join the club later today.

Jewell said: “We’re trying to sign Reece. He’s an England U20 international, he was with their squad in Colombia in the summer. I spoke to Manchester City on Monday and hopefully that will get done today.

“Carlos has done exceptionally well, certainly the system we’re playing suits him, he’s a good attacking full-back.

"But we’ve let Jaime Peters go to Bournemouth and although Jack Ainsley’s done well, I just feel we need a bit more cover for Carlos at right-back. If the lad comes in and does well, like any player, he will stay in."

Wabara has played much of his football at centre-half but Jewell sees him as a right-back: “He can play centre-back, he has played there for Manchester City quite a bit, but he’s probably just not quite big enough to play at centre-back.

“He’s quick and he’s strong. I spoke to him last night and he’s very keen, has a lot of confidence in his own ability. I’ve told him that he comes here he has to fight for his place and he’s more than willing to do that. Hopefully, he’ll be here tonight.”

Wabara was first linked with Town earlier in the week when Reading, Millwall and Blackpool were also reported to be interested in the 19-year-old.

The player tweeted that he is close to a loan switch earlier today: "Morning all! My move should be completed very shortly will let you all know when it's done."

The England U20 international joined City from Walsall as a youngster and signed a new three-year professional deal earlier in the year.

City are willing to allow the Birmingham-born player to move on a short-term spell to get games under his belt with his first team experience so far limited to one sub appearance on the final day of last season.

Wabara comes from a sporting family with ex- Liverpool winger Mark Walters and heavyweight boxer Pele Reid his father Martin’s half-brothers. His grandfather, Lawrence Wabara, was an international footballer with Nigeria in the 1950s.

Jewell says there are no new injuries, aside from Daryl Murphy who is a doubt for Saturday's home game against Brighton with the hamstring problem he sustained during the warm-up at West Ham on Tuesday.

Mark Kennedy should be back training today after his calf problem, while the Blues manager says Ívar Ingimarsson is fit and ready to get back in the side: “He’s chomping at the bit to try and get a chance.”

Lee Martin is over his tonsillitis but Jewell says the winger has suffered another setback: “He’s got a problem with his eye, he was playing golf on his day off.

"I don’t quite know what yet but he was at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London yesterday, so I’m expecting a report. Hopefully that won’t be too serious.”

Photo: Action Images

Blue041273 added 12:37 - Sep 29 This can only be for the 93 days. Man City rate him too highly at the moment to be looking to move him on quite yet. However, he will need to be something special to make it there so if we look to the longer term there might be a possibility. In any event it's good for us. We get a highly rated young player desperate to impress his employers by making a good impression on loan and possibly lay down a marker to show him that there is life outside Man City if it doesn't work out for him there.

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ArnieMsBigToe added 12:48 - Sep 29 It has to be said. The players that PJ is bringing in are just a different class to what we've had before. BergholtBlue: you are so right!! It all appears to have gone quiet from PMason. Maybe he's had to back to the home for the terminally bewildered??
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simonsays added 13:06 - Sep 29 Carlos is going to jail then!
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johnwarksshorts added 13:15 - Sep 29 Things are starting to fall into place.
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Garv added 13:29 - Sep 29 You can't drop Carlos at this time, nor anyone else in fairness, but good cover for right back and even centre back if Sonko gets a knock.
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petermorris added 13:39 - Sep 29 garv - maybe PJ had no intention of dropping Carlos - it's just that Carlos won't have as much pace getting back whilst wearing a tag.
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radiogaga added 13:39 - Sep 29 Yeeeeeeeeah briv.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:57 - Sep 29 Impressed. The young lad at right back & move Carlos forwards: simples! If the former can also do right centre back, that too might be useful if Sonko gets injured. Well done PJ! (OK, it's not fixed yet, but ....)
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bobble added 14:03 - Sep 29 is pmason the johnny rotten of suffolk ? or does his initials stand for..... private man announcing stupidity on net ?
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IvorFeeling added 14:14 - Sep 29 Two things about this story 1. I think that Carlos has been given an unduly hard time, especially pre diamond formation as Leadbitter at right midfield never worked and exposed him. In addition, in the highly paid world of footballers there has never been a muttering from him about playing out of position or giving less than 100% for the shirt. 2. Asside from getting cover in this area, wouldn't be suprised if Town had spoken to the lawyers about the likelyhood of a jail sentence for Edwards Happy to hear 'Wabara, Wabara he doesn't wear maskara, but he is gonner scare ya' on the terraces. PJ - bring him on at half time on Sat when we are 3-0 up lol

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heady added 14:49 - Sep 29 Carlos had a good game at west ham - some of you lot clearly are arm chair fans.
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Sindre94 added 14:56 - Sep 29 Looks like a great signing!
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kerryblue added 15:04 - Sep 29 When he gets sentanced,Carlos will be no-loss.
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irishtim added 15:07 - Sep 29 carlos playing well at present never complains bout being out of position so give him a chance we r fans so lets support our players.
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jackele added 15:13 - Sep 29 coyb can't wait till sat
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robdaful added 15:21 - Sep 29 Right back :) Yay
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Pedlarjak added 15:33 - Sep 29 Great! A 19 year old Nigerian - that must make him what...22, 23?
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DanLyles added 15:46 - Sep 29 A young athletic right back full of potential but not experienced enough for a top 5 Prem club's first eleven eh? Reminds me of Naughton and Walker loaned out by Spurs to the scum and QPR (then Walker went to Villa). If he turns out to be as good as those two then we will have an awesome team and I can't really think of a position that needs strengthening... OK I think we could probably do with another striker to properly compete with Chops and Scotland.

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StowTractorBoy added 16:11 - Sep 29 Sounds a very good bit of business by PJ and with what we already have will give us many options if any of the back line are injured or suspended. He and Ingimarsson will undoubtedly be required at some time but it is good to have ready made replacements. I'd still like to see a player signed with blistering pace oh and brains of course. Things are looking up.
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legoman added 16:16 - Sep 29 Give us a wave Wabara.
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Southamptonblue added 16:18 - Sep 29 How did Lee Martin hurt his eye whilst playing golf?
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Lightningboy added 16:38 - Sep 29 Fine,we do need cover at RB ,BUT please PJ,don't go over the top on loanees..where are our youth players that we used to churn out season after season???
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jocasaja added 17:38 - Sep 29 I like the 3 5 2 idea - 3 strong defenders - Edwards and Creswell playing out wide - strong midfield and Chopra and Scotland up front - things are looking up COYB !!!!
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ITFC4daprem added 18:08 - Sep 29 hopefully will add some depth
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