Luke O’Brien is set to join Exeter after his protracted transfer saga headed for a deadline-day conclusion.

The full back will have a medical at St James’ Park this morning after travelling down last night.

Exeter are expected to take over his current contract, which runs until the end of the season.

The move looked to have hit the buffers when the League One side admitted they could not afford to push it through until they got a player off the books.

But it was suddenly resurrected late yesterday afternoon when Exeter agreed to sell Scott Golbourne to Barnsley for an undisclosed sum.

City joint-chairman Mark Lawn confirmed: “The deal with OB is nearly there. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens some time today.”

O’Brien, who made 149 appearances for his home-town club, was not included in the squad for City’s defeat at Bristol Rovers at the weekend.

But Phil Parkinson told him that he would be back in his plans this week if the Grecians deal did not come off.

O’Brien has not started a game since the home defeat to Rotherham in November. His last outing was from the bench at Southend last month.

Parkinson, meanwhile, is not anticipating any late arrivals before the January window shuts at 11pm.

He said: “I shouldn’t think there will be anyone coming in.”

Will Atkinson became the 36th player this season to appear in a City shirt when he made his debut at the Memorial Stadium.

The Hull midfielder was the fourth to sign on loan this month, following Charlie Taylor, Andy Haworth and Deane Smalley. Taylor has gone back to Leeds after his 28-day stint was up.

Parkinson has also secured Ricky Ravenhill on a two-and-a-half year deal, as well as Marcel Seip and Andrew Davies for the rest of the season.

Two players have gone out on loan to Scotland. After Steve Williams joined Inverness, out-of-favour striker Mark Stewart returned north of the border with Hamilton.

Stewart, signed on a two-year deal last summer by Peter Jackson, has found it tough to make his mark with a different boss after being hampered by a toe injury.

His position is further complicated by Falkirk still demanding a compensation fee - a battle that could be destined for an independent tribunal.

Parkinson added: “Mark wants to play games and we’ve got Nahki (Wells), Ross (Hannah), Deane and James Hanson as our strikers already.

“But he also has his girlfriend up in Scotland who hasn’t quite settled down here. So it’s a good move for him.

“The bottom line is that it gives him the chance to play regular football again.”