TWTD understands that St Etienne midfielder Guirane N’Daw passed his Blues medical earlier this afternoon. The 28-year-old Senegalese international is expected to complete a season-long loan move to Town on Friday.

As the 6ft 3in tall former Birmingham man’s switch is from an overseas club, international clearance is required which means the minutiae of the deal will take longer to complete than a domestic loan or transfer.

The Rufisque-born midfielder or centre-half, who is contracted to St Etienne until June 2013, began his career with Sochaux , with whom he won the 2007 Coupe de France.

He moved on to Nantes in 2008 before joining St Etienne initially on loan in 2009, a deal which became permanent the following summer for €4 million.

He spent the second half of 2010/11 on loan at Real Zaragoza in Spain before joining Birmingham on for the first half of the following campaign, the deal eventually being extended until the end of the season.

While with Birmingham he was absent with Senegal at the African Nations Cup for a time and sidelined with a hamstring problem, but still managed 25 starts and four sub appearances without scoring. He missed both games against Town.

Even if he signs in time, N’Daw won’t be involved at Blackpool on Saturday but depending on his fitness might join up with the squad for the Capital One Cup tie at Carlisle on Tuesday.

Photo: Action Images

enlaw added 17:39 - Aug 23 Adds a nice bit of experience and depth to our midfield, now time for another forward and defender! If all goes well can see town becoming the force they used to be, exciting times!
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bluemingood added 17:40 - Aug 23 Im excited!
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Mark added 17:44 - Aug 23 Hopefully the red tape won't take as long as a certain other overseas player! I think he'll be a good addition to the squad, adding some height and power. I just hope Luke Hyam's progress isn't inturrupted, as he has made a great start to the season.
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CanadianBlue added 17:44 - Aug 23 Good to see we're getting some cover for midfield but hope it doesn't limit Hyam's opportunity after was has sounded like a good start to the season.
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AndyUK61873 added 17:45 - Aug 23 I see SSN are reporting we are back in for Coppinger as well, as Doncaster are looking to trim the wage bill
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Talbs77 added 17:45 - Aug 23 Good signing although slight disapointment its on loan. He now MUST get a striker and not on loan, lets start getting some permanent players in and bring this promising squad together. No more loans if we can help it please pj.
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ITFCOYB added 17:49 - Aug 23 Exactly the kind of player we don't usually buy. Exactly the kind of player we need. COYB Just a couple of jigsaw pieces left now.
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daniel9624 added 17:51 - Aug 23 Striker and Left Midfielder now please, really push JET and Carson
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Big_Foot_Blue added 17:54 - Aug 23 2 loans, 1 the strength and height we have been begging for and one is a passing maestro from a top club. Spot on for amount and type of loanees we should get a season, Loach, Hewitt, Chambers as permanent signings were the Fan/young keeper, promising defender and controlling defender we needed. Now just a permanent signing striker who is preferably above average height and strong to offer options upfront and a permanent defender for cover and we have a good side to push on with for years to come.

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RYITFC added 17:57 - Aug 23 This is exactly what we need, gives us some interesting options in the middle of the park. Now just a Central Defender and a forward/winger to complete the jigsaw.
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corshamblue added 18:10 - Aug 23 I'm sure he can give cover for both central defensive positions? I'm sure I've read he can cover the back central pair ?? Correct me if I'm wrong !!
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flyingdutchman added 18:16 - Aug 23 signing tomorror plenty of time to go else where then
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BlueBoots added 18:16 - Aug 23 N'Daw, Hyam, Luongo, Drury, Martin, JET, Stevenson We've got some real strength in depth for the 3 central midfield spots, and all of them offer something different. The players seem to be enjoying that we have a smaller, tight-knit squad this season, so I'd be happy with just one more signing - either Wickham or Murphy on loan to play on the left or up front...
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runningout added 18:19 - Aug 23 think it's a good loan move personally, would hope is not CB cover.. being a party pooper if a CB is NOT brought in sharpish, our goals against record will be poor yet again...
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ElephantBlue added 18:19 - Aug 23 As we essentially play with 5 midfielders it is good to have a bit more cover and a different option in terms of player type. I think he will be a great help to the squad over the course of what will be as always a long hard season.
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BigAlwasmyhero added 18:29 - Aug 23 Any ideas on what number he'll wear? Great player to have in the team who can switch back into defence to protect the 1 goal lead with 10 mins to go
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Garv added 18:33 - Aug 23 Frankly if he is anything less than fully fit I'll be a bit annoyed. One player not up to it could bring the whole team down. We've had none of that so far, unlike this time last year I think you'd have to say. Not moaning, just a thought.
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Daleyitfc added 18:49 - Aug 23 All loans are bad, in or out. Very disappointing.
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TractorBoy666 added 18:56 - Aug 23 Good news! Where the heck is Kourouma, may i ask? Seems the red tape is going to take all season or something.
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tractorboy12341234 added 18:59 - Aug 23 Hopefully he's the Yaya Toure of town this season, bolster up the strength in the team. Do well and sign permanently next season when we're in the Premiership.
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tractorboy12341234 added 19:04 - Aug 23 Wait, is Cheick Kourouma still joining Town? I wonder whether Cheick will get a look in now that Ndaw has arrived!
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StuartBrett8 added 19:04 - Aug 23 If he's surplus to requirements at St.Etienne hopefully we have a clause included for a permanent deal when the loan period is over? I think he'd be a great addition. I'm so positive about this season :)
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Vic added 19:25 - Aug 23 Lot of these comments reveal that some most have no idea how good he is or what he really does. Why get excited about a player whose ability is a bit of an unknown - most of us had never heard of him until a few days ago, now suddenly 'he's just what we need! Fromall reports he's not a prem quality player, his passing is less than impressive and in 24 games last season he didn't score. Not against the signing at all - just trying to be realistic. It sounds to me like he'll ofer something different, but won't transform us into a promo team.

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dunkz84 added 19:35 - Aug 23 Although pretty happy this I'm guessing this puts to bed any speculation reguarding Maurice edu which is a shame would have like to c him here especially as a permanent signing but onwards and upwards! U don't get 40+ international caps for nothing (well unless ur Heskey apparently)
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Guthrum added 19:35 - Aug 23 @Vic - He's supposed to be a defensive midfielder. They're not really on the pitch for scoring goals, more preventing them! More interesting, of the 21 League games he played for Birmingham last season, 29% were clean sheets and in a further 48% just one goal was scored by the opposition. Not all down to him, I know, but encouraging nonetheless.
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