IT is looking increasingly unlikely that Shola Ameobi will be joining the Blues on loan from Newcastle United who are insisting Town commit to a permanent deal in January.

Derek Davis

IT is looking increasingly unlikely that Shola Ameobi will be joining the Blues on loan from Newcastle United who are insisting Town commit to a permanent deal in January.

The Blues are understandably reluctant to agree to that as the striker has a hamstring problem and as time ticks away in the transfer window the two clubs have reached a stalemate in negotiations.

A £2.5m deal had been agreed and Ameobi had agreed personal terms before the move was scuppered when his medical revealed the injury.

Ameobi picked up the latest problem in a pre-season friendly against Hertha Berlin and suffered a similar injury last year before going on loan to Stoke City who decided they did not take up the option to sign him on a permanent basis after they won promotion to the Premier League