West Brom left-back Joe Mattock has yet again been linked with a loan move to the Blues. The former Leicester man, who is currently out of action with a thigh injury, has been repeatedly mentioned in connection with Town, most recently last week.

Town are said to be ready to sign the England U21 international once he recovers from his injury, although left-back appears to be an area of the team where the Blues are well covered. Shane O’Connor and Mark Kennedy are making progress after their recent injuries and may be in the reserves side at Southend tomorrow afternoon (KO 2pm), while Darren O’Dea is likely to be available after the international break despite his knee problem.

Jaime Peters played at left full-back at Reading, while Tommy Smith and Damien Delaney have also operated in that position during Roy Keane’s time in charge. Town appear more likely to be looking for a right-back, although Keane said no loan moves were imminent prior to the Leeds match.

Mattock, 20, was first mentioned in connection with the Blues last summer, prior to him joining the Baggies from hometown club Leicester City for a fee of £1 million, the link resurfacing in June and then again more recently.

The 5ft 11in tall full-back came through the youth system at Leicester, where Town first team coach Tony Loughlan worked between 2003 and 2006, and made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in April 2007.

Having been capped by England at U15, U16, U17 and U19 levels, Mattock became the second-youngest player after Theo Walcott to appear for the U21s when he won the first of his five caps in a 2-1 victory over Bulgaria in November 2008.

Meanwhile, ex-Town loan right-back Liam Rosenior continues to be linked with Leicester City despite manager Paulo Sousa being replaced by Sven-Goran Eriksson. Rosenior has been without a club since being released by Reading in the summer, having spent the final year of his spell with the Royals at Portman Road.

Photo: Action Images

dirtydingusmagee added 12:25 - Oct 11 left back always seems to be a difficult pos to cover,[although as said we have players that can drop in ],so an addition would be useful, funny how things work out ,we wanted him ,he signs for West Brom,then they loan him to us !
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Sparky85 added 12:26 - Oct 11 link him all you want. although i think he is a decent player we have Kennedy, O'dea and O'conner. Not required Joe, sorry
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corshamblue added 12:39 - Oct 11 Great young player but I've got to agree he'd be surplus to requirements at LB. Weak paper talk on an old story is my best guess? Would like a decent RB to give Jamie some cover and competition.
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Stadiumofdark added 13:31 - Oct 11 Cant see it happening, but see him as a more natural LB than Peters, Smith or O'Dear... plus Kennedy is 47, and when I have seen him (only twice!) he's looked good. I can't see O'Connor being long term first choice - so, who knows. For me, O'Connor looks better in a more advanced role. So, in summary... better than we've got, but not as key signing as a RB!
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Blueknight85 added 13:36 - Oct 11 I wouldnt say its completely out of the question when you consider we only have o'dea untill january i think it is.
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northants added 13:37 - Oct 11 My west brom mate reckons this is a done deal - he tells me his source is reliable and Joe will be here after the international break, notwithstanding fresh injuries. I have no link etc but am not one for posting "def info" garbage....so there is something in this rumour
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Bluetone added 13:43 - Oct 11 Could be a "sharp" player and add a cutting edge.
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Tractorog added 14:13 - Oct 11 could well happen in January. O'Dea could then be returning to Celtic and whilst Kennedy is good and O'Connor promising, perhaps Roy is concerned about further injuries to Kennedy.
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Len_Brennan added 17:05 - Oct 11 I'd be happy to have him on board. As others have said, O'Dea is only here until the New Year for certain (should look to tie him up), while Kennedy is not exactly a long term prospect. After that we are looking at Smith, Delaney or Peters covering out of position, while O'Connor is far from a proven Championship level defender - I think he is best suited to the attacking wing back role, rather than a straight defensive role. There will be many games where we'll be under the cosh & maybe even have an Andros Townsend-type winger running at our left back. This doesn't of course solve the 'elephant in the room' right back problem, which must remain a priority.

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BerkshireBlue added 18:11 - Oct 11 A decent natural attacking left back that would be a good long term permanent signing but I just wish we'd sort out the right back position first! Jamie Peter does a stirling job but is not a natural full back and Troy Brown is not the answer.
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legoman added 20:17 - Oct 11 You picked your words well bluetone.
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BlooooCD added 09:39 - Oct 12 Seems a litte strange to look at this area when we have other issues on the opposite side of the park! But I'm all for strengthening the squad and bringing in quality! Thank god we have a game on Saturday... Been bored since we whooped Leeds! COYB's!
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comeonthegoodtimes added 12:24 - Oct 12 Shame we had the break but with injuries and such like i'm not to bothered it came when it did. Coventry at home will be a hard game for us but i am confidant that we will get the right result. Now we have a bit of momentum going it would be nice to see us really have a go at Coventry. I'm thinking 4-4-2. Fulop ----- Peters - Macca - Smith - Kennedy ----- Edwards - Norris (c) - Livermore - Townsend ----- Scotland - Wickham Subs- Hyam O'Dea Priskin Leadbitter Brown Eastman Not a bad bench either.

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Sparky85 added 13:01 - Oct 12 Agree with most of the above team and definately the formation but just cant see Keano dropping Leadbitter. Also would probably include Delaney on the bench instead of Brown. Good team either way, 3 pts sat, 2-0 win
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itfc4eva added 15:14 - Oct 12 comeonthegoodtimews, good team, but hyam needs to feature. i would like if he could come. it would be some great competition between kennedy, oconnor and him if he were to join.
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