CITY are closing in on a deal to sign Paul Caddis until the end of the season.

The former Scotland international is due in this morning for further talks and a potential medical.

Any move would have to be completed by midday if David Hopkin wants to throw him straight in at Peterborough tomorrow.

The free agent’s capture would come as a timely pre-match boost for Hopkin, who has been beavering away to add fresh faces to his squad.

Right back Caddis, who also offers an option in midfield, last played in August in a Carabao Cup tie for Blackburn.

Hopkin has so far only been able to bring in Jim O’Brien, who is set for his first league start tomorrow since limping off at Wimbledon – the last time rock-bottom City picked up any points.

The Scot was eased back in with a 45-minute appearance in the Checkatrade Trophy against Barnsley in midweek.

Hopkin sees O’Brien as a big character in the dressing room but he is also sensing an increase in volume within the team as performances start to pick up.

The City boss said: “I can’t change anybody’s DNA. Sometimes you get players who are really shy and quiet while others are vocal.

“But there are enough characters in there and I’m starting to hear voices now. That wasn’t the case six weeks ago.

“Players are starting to come out of their shell a bit more. They’re encouraging each other or having a go at half-time.

“These are positive things because, as I always tell the younger players, your mindset is more important than your ability. Most good players who reach the top have got a really tough mentality.

“I keep saying, we had 18-19 new players in the summer and we’ve had two head coaches. There’s probably been everything going on.

“Players get used to one coach and then have to get used to me. But they are in good spirits – and we’ve got to keep that.

“We’ve got to keep them believing that we will get away from where we are.

“The penny is dropping about the situation that we are in. The biggest thing is results now.”

Hopkin has won only one of his 11 league games since taking charge – a far cry from the success he enjoyed at Livingston with back-to-back promotions.

But his own confidence has not been knocked as he draws parallels with the problems he first inherited in Scotland.

“It’s reliving what I went through when I took over at Livingston,” he added, “but I want to make sure we’re competitive and stay in this league.

“When you’re used to winning every week, you’re used to that mindset and a set of players who would run through a brick wall for you.

“I’m not saying the players here wouldn’t and they are all getting there now. Every time I see them, they are tracking back and putting tackles in.

“It takes time to build that spirit but you can see it turning.

“That’s why I keep saying that the mentality is a massive thing now.

“Then hopefully in January, we can get a couple of players in who will complement that and make us better as a squad because it’s imbalanced at this moment in time.”

The touchline could be lively tomorrow as Hopkin faces Peterborough manager Steve Evans, who has never lost to City.

Hopkin said: “Everybody is the same. Most managers will have a pop when decisions don’t go your way.

“We just need to make sure we are fully concentrated on our team and our players.

“We know it’s going to be a tough enough job without thinking about other managers or the officials.

“I can’t complain because I’m probably the same as Steve.

“We’re probably massive underdogs to go there but I’m looking forward to the game.”