TOWN today beat the transfer deadline to complete the loan signing of Bristol City centre-back Richard Keogh.

And boss Andy Ritchie is ready to plunge the Republic of Ireland Under 21 player straight into tomorrow’s League I match at Millwall (3.00).

With versatile defender Frank Sinclair also back in the frame after Wednesday’s Reserve run-out against Port Vale, Ritchie has a double tonic as he plots a third win in four league games this season down at The New Den.

Harlow-born Keogh, 21, was due to join up with his new colleagues for this afternoon’s work-out at Charlton’s training ground.

“It’s been a fairly lengthy search, so we’re delighted to have got Richard here, in the first instance, for a month,” said Ritchie.

“We’re very grateful to (Bristol boss) Gary Johnson for pushing the deal along.

“Richard is an accomplished Under 21 international and a big, strong bloke who will compete and win balls.

“We’ve been a little bit stretched of late, so his arrival is a boost.”

Signed from Stoke in 2005, Keogh was Bristol’s Young Player of the Year last season, when promotion to the Championship was clinched.

This time around, he has been behind Louis Carey and Liam Fontaine in the pecking order, with his only appearance in the Carling Cup first-round victory over Brentford at Griffin Park.