Palace take Egan on loan while Cox eyes getaway
The ex-Greenwood youngster (19) from Cork — a son of the Kerry GAA legend of the same name — will spend a month at Selhurst Park and is eligible to play in both the FA Cup and the Carling Cup semi-finals.
The Republic of Ireland U19 international is the current captain of Sunderland’s reserve side and has made 14 appearances for the second string this season.
Egan — a centre-half and product of the club’s academy system — was named on the bench for the senior side against both Manchester United and Fulham in November.
Dougie Freedman’s Palace currently sit 11th in the Championship and face Derby County in the FA Cup tomorrow before taking on Cardiff City in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Ireland striker Simon Cox is hoping to move away from The Hawthorns this month.
Cox started his second Premier League game of the season at Tottenham on Tuesday and insists the situation cannot continue as he needs to play regularly.
“I thought I would play a much bigger part than I did last season but it just hasn’t turned out that way,” he admitted.
“It’s one of those things that happens in football and one that I will have to have a look at.
“If I get three or four starts and then the lads who are out injured start to come back and I get forced straight out of the team, that would be disappointing so I don’t really fancy that either.”
Ipswich Town boss Paul Jewell is hoping to make Irish international defender Sean St Ledger his first signing of the January transfer window. St Ledger was recently transfer-listed by Leicester City following a row with manager Nigel Pearson after being left out of the side for the Foxes’ St Stephen’s Day game, coincidentally a 1-1 draw with Ipswich.
Jewell, who previously targeted St Ledger when he was with Preston, says his club faces competition from a number of other sides, including one in Italy.
“I’ve spoken to Leicester about Sean St Ledger’s availability. He is someone we’re interested in and are trying to pursue,” he said.
“There are a few clubs in for him, one from Serie A. Whether we can get Sean and get him to come here remains to be seen.”
The clubs are yet to settle on a fee but Town hope to sign the Republic defender initially on loan but with a view to a permanent deal.
Ipswich are also continuing their pursuit of Keith Andrews, whose loan at Portman Road is up after the weekend.
“I think we’re still in the mix fighting there. We’d like to bring him in here and I think Keith would quite like to come, but when you’re up against a couple of Premier League teams it’s always difficult, but we’re in there fighting,” Jewell said.
Andrews’ parent club Blackburn are keen for him to return and now intend to play him once he is over the hamstring injury which is set to keep him sidelined for another week, although the player himself wants a permanent move away from Ewood Park as soon as possible.
In addition to Andrews, Jewell is also targeting Republic of Ireland international midfielder Paul Green, who he previously signed at Derby County. The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season.
* Everton have recalled centre-back Shane Duffy from his loan spell at Scunthorpe United because of injury problems.
The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland defender could feature for the Toffees’ in tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Tamworth.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
