TWTD understands Oxford United are closing in on the season-long loan signing of Blues winger Kyle Edwards ahead of this evening’s 11pm transfer deadline.

Speaking three weeks ago, manager Kieran McKenna revealed that he and the 25-year-old had agreed that the former West Brom man needed to move on to play more regular football.

If the deal goes through, Edwards, whose Town contract is up next summer, will become the second Town player to sign for Liam Manning’s League One U’s this summer, following left-back Greg Leigh, who joined in a permanent basis.

Town will be looking to add another centre-half to their squad before the window slams shut having recruited striker Dan Scarlett yesterday.

The South London Press is reporting that Charlton are keen on Blues frontman Freddie Ladapo, however, we understand that despite Scarlett’s signing Town would not be prepared to allow the former Rotherham man to move on. Although that could potentially change should they be offered an alternative. Leeds forward Joe Gelhardt has been linked but with Town sources playing down the claims of interest.

Edwards’s departure would mean Town have 25 players who qualify for the EFL squad but one of those is fourth-choice keeper Nick Hayes, who would be left out if he isn’t found another club to join on loan before the end of the day.

Manager McKenna has also been weighing-up whether to send centre-half Elkan Baggott and midfielder Cameron Humphreys out on loan. Baggott’s temporary exit could depend on the Blues’ securing another senior central defender before the close of play today.

Elsewhere, former Blues loanee Bersant Celina joined Stockholm-based side AIK on loan from Dijon yesterday.

Photo: Matchday Images

trncbluearmy added 10:00 - Sep 1 Good news only a loan Still got a future at ITFC hopefully
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itfckenty added 10:05 - Sep 1 loan is good, I still think this lad has some quality but just needs some game time. and Oxford is a good opportunity for him. I think we will see some in's and outs today, I have this feeling Ladapo will go and we will get another striker in and another CB.
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blues1 added 10:44 - Sep 1 Actually think a loan is the wrong option for us. Would have been much better for us to sell him. He wanted to go, and with his contract up at the end of the season, means he'll likely walk away for nothing next summer. As for fans thinking we'll sign another striker today, and sell Ladapo? Dont think so. Think the only signing we may make today would be a cb.
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iaintaylorx added 10:47 - Sep 1 Really gutted it hasn’t worked for him here yet, but a loan gives him a chance still. That left side for Oxford of Leigh and Edwards has got to be up there with one of the strongest in the league! Good luck to him!
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peckam added 10:48 - Sep 1 Leaving on loan seems a good option. Assess how he does this season and then go from there, as he is out of contract from next summer anyway. Think Freddie might go if we can get another forward in the Hirst mould, but don't want to see Baggott or Humphreys out on loan. Both are capable of playing in our team but I realise it's a difficult job picking even our matchday subs!

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VanDusen added 11:09 - Sep 1 Definitely money on Oxford to seriously challenge for promotion finally this season - they've already started well, but with Leigh and Edwards on board they should stand a really good chance. Be nice to see Manning do well too.
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Naylorsrightboot added 11:25 - Sep 1 Still think he would do a much better job here than either Hutchinson or Scarlett will. But if he wants to play more regularly then not much we can do about it l suppose. As for Ladapo, would be crazy to let him go if we dont get someone else in. We would be left with just Hirst who looks capable, Jackson who really isnt the answer and never will be, and then a 19 year old kid who has never kicked a ball in the Championship.

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BeattiesBackPocket added 11:31 - Sep 1 As much as I like the guy when has he really done much regards goals or end product? Exciting to watch but doesn’t do the basics of pressing etc that McKenna and most teams do now. Even the big players at Man City have to do this but edwards and Ladapo for me don’t.
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Len_Brennan added 12:14 - Sep 1 The rumours about Gelhardt seem to have some substance, but I would want a permanent signing in, if we are going to let Freddie go to Charlton. We already have Scarlett & Hutchison on loan, so another in the forward area would be far from ideal. I still wouldnt rule out a move for Colby Bishop, with Freddie moving out to Charlton (or Pompey) though; like Scarlett, he was on our radar in January, & offers more as a replacement for that Hirst role should he be injured. Has also already demonstrated a good partnership with Scarlett.

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Mariner1974 added 12:22 - Sep 1 Really hoped he'd become a bigger part of proceedings this season. He's been my favourite impact player for the past 2 seasons, and I've argued that he should have started more games over Burns when he had his slump. Offers us that wing wizardry that we don't have elsewhere in the squad. The ability to beat his man and deliver a different kind of ball. The fact that Burns can defend as well has always helped his cause (and of course his goal threat), and that seeming lack of connection between Leif and Kyle when they play together. Leif always wants to get to the bye-line which makes Kyle have to tuck inside, whereas Kyle attacking the box and getting the crosses in would be the source of so much threat for us. Sad to see him go...probably the saddest I've been since Teddy Bishop left! The only hope is he shows how special he is for Oxford and Kieron and co offer him a new deal in the summer. I'll be keeping an eye out for Oxford's results from now on!

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blues1 added 14:36 - Sep 1 Naylorsrightboot. Just cant help urself, can u. 1 of these days you'll come on here and say something positive, and everyone will pass out with the shock. How can u say hed do more then Hutchinson amd scarlett? Clearly didn't see hutchinson on Tuesday night. As for Scarlett, he's not played a game yet. Now, if Edwards had only been here a couple of months say, I could get ur point, but hes been here over 2 years, and as exciting as he can be, what's he ever done? So why not just wait and see, give these guys a chance, rather than write them off immediately?

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