BILLY Clarke and Dan Harding are today set to sign loan deals at Darlington and Southend United respectively.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

BILLY Clarke and Dan Harding are today set to sign loan deals at Darlington and Southend United respectively.

Clarke has agreed an initial one month contract with the Quakers and will link up with former Town defender Ian Miller at the Darlington Arena

The 20-year-old Irishman has found his chances at Portman Road sparse and last season went to Falkirk on loan. He has not featured in the first team during pre-season playing mainly in second string friendlies.

The Academy graduate came through the Town ranks after joining from his native Cork.

Former Bury Town centre half Miller also linked up with Dave Penney's League Two outfit initially on loan but has now made the move permanent.

Harding will today link up with the League One club on a window-to-window deal with a view to a long term contract.

The former Leeds United and Brighton left back has been left out of the Town side since the 4-1 defeat at Burnley last March and has been told he can leave.

Harding was one of Magilton's first signings when he arrived in a deal that took Ian Westlake to Elland Road.

Both loan deals could lead to something more permanent with the duo transfer listed and available at the right price.

Town boss Jim Magilton said: “It is important for these lads to be out playing regular football. This is the right time for them to go and it will be a good opportunity for both.”

While the summer transfer window closes at the end of this month loan deals can still be arranged until November.

Dean Bowditch, Jaime Peters, Jordan Rhodes and Tommy Smith, are among a group of fringe players that could also go out on loan in the next few weeks, with Northampton Town, Wycombe Wanderers and Yeovil, among the interested clubs.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk