By Shane Ireland

Birmingham City are reportedly closing in on the signing of Huddersfield Town striker James Vaughan as the emergency loan deadline draws near.

The window closes at 5pm today and Blues boss Gary Rowett – whose own future has been the subject of speculation this week – is desperate to recruit a new forward now that Clayton Donaldson faces a six-week injury layoff.

Donaldson’s absence leaves Nicolai Brock-Madsen as the only senior striker at St Andrew’s.

Here In The City Sport reports that Rowett has identified Vaughan “as the top target.”

Birmingham-born Vaughan did not make new Hudderfield boss David Wagner’s squad as he took charge for the first time last weekend against Sheffield Wednesday, and the manager is understood to be happy to allow the forward out on loan.

The 27-year-old initially joined Huddersfield on loan from Everton in 2012 before making his move permanent a year later and has scored 33 goals for the Terriers.