TWTD understands Town are closing in on the loan signing of Birmingham City midfielder Stephen Gleeson.

Speaking earlier today, Blues boss Mick McCarthy said he was hopeful of adding someone to his squad before Saturday’s game at Bolton and Gleeson is that player with the move set to be confirmed on Friday.

The 29-year-old is well-known to McCarthy having been at Wolves during his time as boss at Molineux.

Dubliner Gleeson played youth football with Cherry Orchard before joining Wolves in 2006.

Loan spells at Stockport (three times), Hereford and the MK Dons followed before he joined the Buckinghamshire side on a permanent basis in July 2009 having made only one League Cup start and three league sub appearances for Wolves.

After five years with MK, the 5ft 9in tall midfielder moved on to Birmingham in 2014.

This season Gleeson, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has made only seven appearances (five in the Championship) with his most recent first-team game in early December.

He has won four Republic of Ireland full caps, scoring once, in addition to appearances at U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels.

Meanwhile, reports claim Werder Bremen, Espanyol and Torino are keen to sign Town loanee Bersant Celina during the January window.

However, the Manchester City man leaving the Blues is unlikely with the season-long loan deal understood to be along the same lines as Tom Lawrence's last season which required the agreement of all three parties - the player and the two clubs - for it to be cut short.

Photo: Action Images

SheptonMalletBlue added 19:09 - Jan 18 Another of McCarthy's mates "proper bloke Gleeeees"!!!!!
4

Tractorboy1985 added 19:17 - Jan 18 Can't get into a Birmingham side who are battling relegation but good enough for us?? Our transfer policy beggars belief!
32

ArnieM added 19:17 - Jan 18 He's a CB. We need CB's NOW. So seems a good move to me.
-10

ronnyd added 19:19 - Jan 18 Irish AND former Wolves, right up Micks street lol.
14

12th_Man added 19:20 - Jan 18 It says Midfielder ArnieM
3

Surco72 added 19:23 - Jan 18 Not as good as Smith
2

midastouch added 19:24 - Jan 18 A few words that immediately spring to mind: uninteresting tedious dull dreary mind-numbing lacklustre tiresome unexciting monotonous wearisome uninspiring All of those words sum Ipswich Town up right now in just about every respect, it's all so very boring!
19

Rensham added 19:27 - Jan 18 Looks like we've scraped through the bottom of the barrel and are now looking at players that have fallen on the floor and are hidden behind other barrels. How can he play on Saturday?? In what world would signing a player who isn't fit and hasn't played with his team mates be a help for the game at Bolton?
21

Rensham added 19:28 - Jan 18 So that confirms Smiths exit.
0

Rensham added 19:28 - Jan 18 5'6" for a centre back. a bit short even for ITFC
0

midastouch added 19:31 - Jan 18 If things start to get much more boring at Portman Road I'm actually going to start looking forward to International breaks for the first time since I don't know when!!!!
8

bluesfan_whatever added 19:34 - Jan 18 sheptonmallettblue Is this all you do all day Do you need help
0

fergalsharkey added 19:37 - Jan 18 You have to laugh.
3

Woodbridgian added 19:39 - Jan 18 ITFC transfer policy in a nutshell. A 29 year old journeyman who can't get in a team second from bottom in the Championship is the best option we can come up with!
23

Mark added 19:40 - Jan 18 I wish him well, but what are the chances of a very out-of-favour at a struggling club 5ft9 29-year-old coming here and doing really well? It feels like a Giles Coke sort of signing. Yes, we need bodies in midfield and perhaps the stop gap is sensible, but Ipswich fans are crying out for some sort of excitement and some long-term ambition. Gleeson will not sell season tickets.

7

TrueBlue1998 added 19:45 - Jan 18 Tractorboy1985 but he always played in Birminghams teams under Rowett when they were in and around the playoffs
5

DiamondGezzer added 19:47 - Jan 18 Time was when a new signing actually kicked a ball before being slated ! TWTD's !
13

trncbluearmy added 19:50 - Jan 18 Proper bloke, squad filler, who cannot get into a crap championship brilliant
6

GTRKing added 19:51 - Jan 18 I wish Gleeson well at ITFC & hopefully he dose a good job for us. But with Tommy Smith leaving (Wanting to leave) & no Guarantee that we can get Goldson on Loan. We need someone as we are short on defenders. I think a loan till end of the season with view to signing permanently in the summer (if he proves to be good enough) is a good idea. We all know that Mick is thinking of leaving in the summer so why give him Some money He hasn't kicked a ball yet so let's see how he does first shall we

4

Rensham added 19:52 - Jan 18 The new Jay Tabb. Tabby welcome home.
4

Rensham added 19:54 - Jan 18 No @GTR, lets all boycott the remaining home fixtures this season instead?
-1

liam88 added 19:55 - Jan 18 Thought he was a midfielder
2

Currie10 added 19:58 - Jan 18 Jesus christ the usual meltdown. Can we see him play once at least before having fits?
9

Taricco_Fan added 19:59 - Jan 18 A bloke who can't get into an exceptionally poor Birmingham side. This will have them coming back to Portman Road in droves. Jesus wept.
7

Surco72 added 20:00 - Jan 18 I would rather play Smith and have Webster in midfield
7

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls