England U19 central defender Chris Hogg and Dutch midfielder Nabil Abidallah are both set for spells on loan. Hogg has agreed to spend a month on loan at Boston United while Abidallah is on the verge of moving to Ross County for a similar period.

Hogg, who joined Town from York City for a £50,000 fee plus extras in the summer of 2001, has dropped down the pecking order this year with both Aidan Collins and Gerard Nash now ahead of him.

Lately most of his reserves appearances have seen him in his less-preferred full-back role with the two 17-year-olds in the centre of defence.

Abidallah, 21, joined Town on a free from Ajax in 2000 but has made only three appearances for the first team since then, all as a sub.

According to manager Joe Royle the diminutive playmaker is interested in the switch to County: “There's a good chance of it happening. Nabil's up for it, we're just waiting to see if they want to go ahead with it having made the enquiry.

“Nabil's on a free transfer and his contract's up in the summer so it's a chance for him to get into professional football.”

The proposed move comes after the Dingwall club's recent visit to Town for a look at the academy. The Scottish Division One side are modelling their academy on the Blues' set-up and the clubs currently have a close relationship.

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