Town striker Daryl Murphy is not in the Blues’ 18 for today’s home game against Preston with the Irishman understood to have travelled to Newcastle for talks regarding his move to the Magpies and to undergo a medical. TWTD revealed that the North-East club were closing in on signing the 33-year-old yesterday evening.

The clubs are believed to have agreed a fee believed to be around £3.5 million. According to some reports the striker handed in a transfer request.

Murphy is replaced in today’s side by Brett Pitman, while Tommy Smith comes back in for Adam Webster, who drops to the bench.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Bru, Ward, Sears, Pitman. Subs: Gerken, Webster, Kenlock, Digby, Bishop, Varney, Dozzell.

Preston: Lindegaard, Humphrey, Clarke, Wright, Cunningham, Spurr, Welsh, Gallagher, Johnson, Robinson and Beckford. Subs: Maxwell, Huntington, Grimshaw, Browne, Doyle, Hugill, Makienok.

Photo: TWTD

gosblue added 15:11 - Aug 27 Murphy going and us holding off on the Leon Best signing, I also think McGoldrick was on his way before his latest injury. I hope there's something special about to happen in the next few days. MM has said somethings have to happen before others can take place. Let's hope this is the catalyst. Good luck Murphs, once a town legend always a town legend.
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emergencylime added 15:20 - Aug 27 Without wanting to jump the gun, i'm erring on the side of this being a timely deal...provided I don't see the line "Leon will wear the number 9 shirt vacated by Murphy" !
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WindsorBlueArmy added 16:04 - Aug 27 If he does move then he certainly gave 100% in his final game?Always been a fans favourite.Dont forget 2 years ago he was helped up top by Didz.Last season and this mainly a lone striker.Wish him all the best.Shame the fans couldn't say farewell at Portman Road.Hope Mick has a couple of additions lined up before Wednesday.Perhaps will lead to change in style with ball on the floor.

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tricky78 added 16:21 - Aug 27 Take the money and put Pitman in there. £3.5 million will be good business for Murphy, although I will be sad to see him go. Good luck Murph and thanks for the memories.
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ian_marshall added 16:27 - Aug 27 Like the murphys I'm not bitter
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prebsa added 16:38 - Aug 27 Don't mind Murph leaving. He had a fantastic season for us again and at 33 he is past his best and I would be very surprised if he managed it again. £3.5m is a good price especially with his contract ending and aslong as we invest it which I pray we do! Then this could be a good deal for us. Just hope that it dosent go into Marcus's pocket and we see a new signing to replace him before the end of the transfer window!

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yorksblue added 17:34 - Aug 27 TimmyH. Thought strikers were supposed to score goals, or have I missed something
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Keaneish added 17:40 - Aug 27 All the best to him. Disappointed to see him go but the writing was on the wall. Not been at it this season but given the support he has, its evident to see why in large areas of his game. 3.5 mil is great business. Now, 17 million recouped in transfers over the last 3 season and barely 1.5 million spent. Even with the loss in operating cost we must have cleared a significant part of our debt right Mr. Evans? If i read that we're still 25 - 30 million in the hole, with such significant gains in the transfer market, i want Evans out. When's the next report published? End of the year or financial year?

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