Sinnott has made a loan signing but has to reduce his squad before more additions can arrive

Howland, 21, has not made the first team at Birmingham but is a Northern Ireland under-21 international.

Meanwhile Vale boss Lee Sinnott has transfer listed five players after he was told that he must reduce his current squad before adding again.

Talking about further signings, Sinnott told BBC Radio Stoke: "I must wait to see if there's interest in my players."

The manager has circulated the names of Shane Tudor, Mark McGregor, Charlie O�Loughlin, Paul Edwards and Jason Talbot around all Football League and Conference clubs.