Town boss Joe Royle says that although he is keen to sign all three loanees the club's finances mean that at present this is out of the question. Alan Mahon, Chris Bart-Williams and Shefki Kuqi have all impressed since joining the Blues on a short-term basis.

Royle says: “I'd love to sign the three of them, I've never said anything different. But it is a possibility we can't even consider yet. It would be impossible for us to look at it at the moment.”

However, changes to the financial situation in the wake of the impending share issue may affect matters, while Royle admits other players may have to leave to allow new signings: “Either that or financial restructuring. But we can't consider it at the moment.

“We've got them for three months — all three of them, although there is a review on Bart-Williams after two months — and we've got to make the best of them as if they are going to be here at the end of the three months. And then hopefully towards the end we can start considering things.”

The move from a club for Andy Marshall which was cautiously expected by Royle last week didn't come to anything and there have been no further bids for any more Blues' players.

One possibility though is that one or two more youngsters may be allowed to leave for short spells: “We might consider Matt Bloomfield going out on loan to gain experience.”

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