Planet Swans ArchivesThe Daily Mirror reports that Birmingham are close to agreeing a season long loan for Manchester City's Joe Hart which will in turn clear the way for them to loan out Colin Doyle.
Doyle is highly rated at St Andrews but as they prepare for a Premier League season, they want someone with more experience and Hart fits the bill whilst the paper also reports that Alex McLeish is keen to tie up a quick deal for Hart which may play right into Swansea's hands.
Hailing from Cork the Irish U-21's international, has, had loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Millwall since he signed his first professional contract for the Blues back in 2003.
Doyle has reportedly been the subject of past interest from Arsene Wenger amongst others whilst Steve Claridge's scouting report on the player said in 2007 "He reminds me of Petr Cech a bit in size and stature and has an ability, like the Chelsea keeper, not to over-dramatise saves. He makes them look as easy as possible simply because his positioning for shot stopping is so good. That is not to say he wasn't fully tested at times but when he made a save there was only one example of the ball rebounding out into the danger area – the centre of the goal. On every other occasion he safely pushed the ball to the side. Too many people just look at the save but where the ball finishes up after a save when the keeper doesn't catch it is important.
"His kicking was fine with either foot, though he favours his right, and his bravery was unquestioned on the two or three occasions he was called upon to dive at a player's feet. His preparation must have been good as he was called into action very early in both games, and certainly, in the Preston match, where he had to make two saves in the first few minutes.
"He has what I call soft hands, meaning when he could not hold the ball on the first attempt, particularly the ones that bounced in front of him, it stayed within easy reach the second time around, instead of giving his opponent an easy chance at the rebound. He's not lazy – he got his body behind everything and made sure he moved his feet to get into position."
It would not be the first time Martinez has raided St Andrews for keeping cover, with Polish shot-stopper Artur Krysiak joining on loan early last season.
