Town are concerned that their latest promotion bid may prove fruitless once again and Burley is hoping to cover all angles, after splashing out a club record fee on Marcus Stewart.
Branagan will provide cover for number one Richard Wright, who will be a target for Chelsea and other big clubs in the summer. Mike Salmon, the current understudy, is out of action for at least a month.
Jussi Jaaskelainen and Steve Banks are ahead of the experienced 33-year-old in the running for places at The Reebok Stadium and, despite their FA Cup progress, Sam Allardyce has allowed him to move on.
Branagan, linked with a move to Norwich before Bruce Rioch played down that rumour, looks set to be included in the squad for their East Anglian rivals` clash with Blackburn on Tuesday night.
Adam Marshall
