Lads on tour

New year, new surroundings. That's the case for three of our youngsters, who've been sent out on loan to gain experience. Defender James Tavernier and Faroe Islands international forward Joan Simun Edmundsson don't find themselves far from home, having pitched up Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Gateshead. Completing the trio, defender Matthew Grieve has joined managerless League Two side Stockport as part of a quadruple signing. We should hopefully be able to get reports on Grieve's performances and progress from Hatters fan Scarf, a fellow regular contributor on The Two Unfortunates.

Meanwhile, in the build-up to tomorrow's FA Cup tie with Stevenage, the BBC have been speaking to Steve Howey and former Borough manager Paul Fairclough about our ill-tempered 1998 clash, while the Hertfordshire side's current boss Graham Westley has been chuntering on about righting the 1998 "injustice". Alan Pardew's given them a glimmer of hope too, by hinting heavily that he'll rest several first-teamers after a busy festive period ahead of the derby next Sunday: "It worries me because it's the end of a cycle of games that has been too much".

Talking of the Mackems, how mean-spirited of Ol' Cauliflower Face to stop Asamoah Gyan taking his planned winter break...

And finally, if you're in the Ipswich area and are on the lookout for a dog-walker with time on his hands, then you could be in luck.