By james art 
League One leaders Birmingham City have signed Kieran Dowell on loan from Rangers for the remainder of the season.
The 27-year-old midfielder becomes the Blues’ second signing of the January transfer window after Dowell’s former Norwich team-mate Grant Hanley.
Birmingham have three midfielders out – Paik Seung-ho, who has missed the last two league games but should return soon, Willem Willemsson, who could be out for a few more weeks, and Emil Hanson, who has been out since Christmas.
“It’s a good chance for me to come and play football for a team that likes to dominate the ball,” Dowell said. “I’ve always thrived playing in teams that like to control the ball.”
Dowell began his career at Everton, making five first-team appearances, as well as spending time on loan at Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Derby County and Wigan Athletic, but he has flourished at Carrow Road since his move to the East of England in July 2020 .
He scored 12 goals in 76 appearances before signing for Rangers in May 2023.
After Thursday’s 1-1 draw at third-placed Wrexham, Chris Davies’ Blues are back in action on Tuesday night in Yorkshire against another of their promotion rivals, fourth-placed Huddersfield Town.