SIMON GRAYSON says Town have added real quality to their midfield after signing Leicester’s Neil Danns on loan for the rest of this season.
The 30-year-old Liverpudlian will train with his new teammates today and make his debut in Saturday’s home Championship clash with Lee Clark’s Birmingham.
Like fellow Leicester loanee Jermaine Beckford, Danns won’t be allowed to play in Town’s home FA Cup fourth-round clash against his parent club on Saturday, January 26.
The ex-Blackburn, Colchester and Crystal Palace man recently had a loan spell at Championship rivals Bristol City, who were keen to keep him.
Town boss Simon Grayson said: “He is a quality player at this level, a strong, physical, creative midfielder who will give us an added edge.
“He has just returned to Leicester following a successful loan spell at Bristol City where he displayed his ability to score and create goals.
“He is a highly experienced player who I believe will add to what we already have in midfield. He will also provide us with good versatility in a number of areas.”
Danns, who played alongside Grayson during a loan spell at Blackpool in 2003, has totted up 322 career appearances in all, scoring 62 goals.
Out of favour under Nigel Pearson at Leicester, where he is contracted until 2014, Danns will wear No20 for Town.
Danns, who scored twice in nine games for Bristol, said: “I need to play games, so this is a good move for all involved.”
Grayson said he was keen to add experience to his squad after Town were thumped 6-1 at Leicester on New Year’s Day, leaving then 17th in the table.
They will seek a first win in 11 league games against Birmingham, who are three places and three points behind them.
Lancashire’s Graham Salisbury will referee the match.
