Town are being linked with a move for former loanee Jay McEveley. The 24-year-old Derby County left-back is out of contract in the summer and is said to be available at a bargain price, although the Rams were recently reported to be ready to offer him a new deal.
Boss Joe Royle has failed in a bid to take Tottenham striker Grzegorz Rasiak on loan. Royle wanted the Pole to join on a short-term spell in January as cover for Sam Parkin, out for up to four months after breaking his ankle.
The Blues are hoping to take Danish striker Sammy Youssouf on trial next week as Joe Royle seeks to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window. Yesterday Royle revealed that he is expecting several trialists, in the main from overseas, in the next week or so.
Paul Jewell could stick with the line-up which should have beaten Watford last weekend when the Blues travel to Barnsley for Saturday’s live Sky game at Oakwell looking to end their run of seven successive defeats (Sky Sports Two/HD2 5pm). Skipper Grant Leadbitter is expected to miss out again due to his groin injury, while Ívar Ingimarsson is sidelined having broken his nose.
On-loan full-back Jay McEveley is likely to be out of action for a month after injuring a medial ligament in the 2-1 defeat at Cardiff. McEveley picked up the knock in the incident which led to Fabian Wilnis s red card.