SAM Allardyce has strengthened his defensive ranks by signing centre-back Steve Howey from Premiership rivals, Leicester City.
The former Newcastle and Manchester City defender is due to undergo a medical before finalising the free transfer that will keep him at the Reebok for the rest of the season.
Howey is leaving Leicester after an acrimonious bust-up with manager Micky Adams, who transfer-listed the 32-year-old former England international earlier this month.
Adams, fighting desperately to keep Leicester in the Premiership, said at the time: "The thinking behind it is that quite simply I need people I can rely on and who I can trust in my squad of players. Unfortunately Steve does not fit into that category."
Howey, who has made 13 Premiership appearances since moving to the Walkers Stadium from Manchester City on a free last the summer, will not be available to play in next month's Carling Cup Final, having played for the Foxes earlier in the competition.
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