Town boss Joe Royle has stepped his search for loan players with striker Darren Bent set to miss Saturday's home clash with Burnley. Bent picked up a hamstring problem while away with the England U21s.

Royle told the club site: "Bearing in mind Darren's situation I have been making a few calls to see if the players we have asked about before are now available.

"If they are not, then we will go with what we have against Burnley on Saturday and there will be no excuses."

Dean Bowditch is likely to partner Shefki Kuqi in the Town attack in Bent's absence. The Blues are also without Fabian Wilnis (suspended) and Kelvin Davis (back) with Matt Richards continuing at left-back and Lewis Price keeping his place in goal.

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