Bruce makes room for new boys
Last updated : 15 January 2003 By Rags
Bryan Hughes has today agreed a loan move to First Division Leicester City which will officially begin on Friday. The 26-year-old midfielder started in Blues' first three Premiership games but has since struggled to hold down a place in the team. Hughes has played 18 games this season but 12 of those appearances have come in the role of a substitute. The £1 million signing from Wrexham has appeared in 255 matches for the club, scoring 35 goals, since his arrival in March 1997. The Liverpool born player is recognised as one of the most naturally talented members of the Blues squad but unfortunately he has yet to display his skills fully on the Premiership stage and has been unable to force his way into the team following the summer arrival of Robbie Savage and Aliou Cisse.Hughes will join up with the high-flying Foxes in time for Saturday's visit to Gillingham. Micky Adams' side currently hold the second automatic promotion place in Division One and face a fourth round FA Cup-tie at Wolverhampton Wanderers later this month, for which Hughes will be unavailable having already played in the competition for Blues.Also packing his overnight bag is Blues' young striker Craig Fagan. Fagan is to join up with Second Division Bristol City for a one-month loan on Thursday. The 20-year-old has earned rave reviews for his performances in the reserves this season and he is rated as a good prospect for the future by boss Steve Bruce. The Blues manager has given Fagan a taste of first team action with four substitute appearances this term, but feels the pacy forward will now benefit from more regular first team games with the Second Division club. Danny Wilson's side are currently fifth in the Second Division but just one point behind second-placed Crewe in an amazing four-way battle for the second automatic promotion spot behind runaway leaders Wigan. The Ashton Gate boss has been looking to boost his strikeforce that have found goals hard to come by of late with just one in the last three games. Wilson will be hoping that his new loan capture can repeat the form that has seen him score in the last five successive Blues reserve games. Fagan goes into contention for the Robins' trip to fellow promotion rivals Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.Meanwhile, young Australian goalkeeper Clint Davies is joining up with Dr Martens Premier League side Tamworth for a one-month loan. The 19-year-old first year professional will be added to the Lambs squad that is currently embroiled in a promotion battle for a place in the Nationwide Conference.
Midfielder Tresor Luntala has gone on trial to French First Division outfit Guingamp.
Luntala, French-born of Congolese origin, has linked up again with Guingamp coach Bertrand Marchand, who first worked with the player at his former club Rennes.
The 20-year-old could help Marchand plug gaps in the midfield for Guingamp, who recently offloaded Yannick Baret to Lorient and Fabrice Collet to Nimes on loan.
Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore has also lined up a loan swoop on Birmingham City to kick-start the club's faltering fortunes. The Millers have seen a drop in the level of performances and results of late after a bright start to the campaign, and Moore is looking to turn things around with the aid of the loan market.
Birmingham duo Darren Carter and Curtis Woodhouse have been identified as potential signings, and Moore says there is "a chance" of getting what he wants.
Moore said: "If we can get somebody like Woodhouse in, it will give us some extra steel in midfield.
TWA cabs meanwhile are reported to be keeping all their taxis on standby in case of anymore late night 'St Andrews to New Street Station, please' bookings.
