PLYMOUTH Argyle have held talks with Birmingham City about signing 6ft 5in goalkeeper Colin Doyle on loan.

Doyle played as a trialist in the Pilgrims' 1-0 win against Hereford United at Edgar Street on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old was not overworked, but he made a couple of good saves and he confidently handled any corners and crosses into the penalty area.

Argyle manager Peter Reid wants to add another 'keeper to his squad to compete with Romain Larrieu, who has been in fine form in pre-season.

Birmingham are prepared to let Doyle leave on loan because they have Ben Foster and Maik Taylor in their squad.

Reid was impressed with Doyle's assured display against Hereford, and he could also feature against Queens Park Rangers in another pre-season game at Loftus Road tonight (7.30pm).

"We have had a chat (with Birmingham) and I think we might be able to get him," said the Pilgrims' boss.

Reid would not be drawn, however, on how long any loan deal would be for.

He said: "Romain has done great, but you need competition for places.

"It's important people have got to play well, and are looking over their shoulders to see if they are going to be in the side. That's what I'm looking for."

Bermuda under-23 international keeper Freddy Hall has been on trial with Argyle this pre-season.

But Reid decided not to offer him a contract — at least for now — because he wanted someone more experienced.

Hall could return to the Pilgrims later this year, though, for further coaching and assessment.

Doyle has made 31 appear ances for Birmingham, and also had loan spells at Chester City, Nottingham Forest and Millwall. The Cork-born keeper has also been capped once by the Republic of Ireland at senior international level.

That came in a 1-1 draw with Ecuador in a friendly at Giants Stadium, New Jersey, USA, in May 2007.

Should Doyle sign on loan for Argyle, it would not be purely as a number two to Larrieu.

"If he plays well, he plays," said Reid.

"I was pleased with Doyley (against Hereford). I thought he looked assured and his starting positions were good.

"We are a quiet side, and sometimes during the game his was the only voice that I could hear, which I thought was a big bonus."

Reid added: "The young boy Hall has gone back and we will be taking another look at him. I think he needs work in terms of positional sense and things like that."