Town have again been linked with Wigan midfielder Ben Watson. The 24-year-old was reported to be interesting the Blues last summer prior to his £2 million move to the Latics from Crystal Palace in January.

Watson is said to be out of favour under new Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, having been signed by former boss Steve Bruce, a close friend of Roy Keane's. The Blues are reported to be ready to make a £1.5 million offer for the Camberwell-born central midfielder, while Cardiff are claimed to be interested in taking him on a season-long loan.

Capped twice by England at U21 level, Watson came through the youth system at Palace and was a regular in their side prior to his move, but has made little impact with his new club, making only six starts and four sub appearances, all last season, scoring two goals.

Keane said after Saturday's defeat that he wants to add to his squad before the close of the transfer window a week on Tuesday and when the emergency loan window opens a week later: "I think we are short by two or three players and there will need to be a reaction in terms of trying to get players in.

"But when you are at the bottom, trying to attract players is going to be even more difficult, so there are a tough few weeks coming up.

"It is going to be very difficult in terms of short-term improvement unless we improve the squad."

Central midfield is an area Keane has said he is looking at strengthening with David Norris out until Christmas and with the Blues having been weak in that area so far this season.

Town are also understood to be keen on adding Bohemians midfielder Gary Deegan to their squad before the end of the week, having originally been planning to sign the 21-year-old in November at the end of the Irish season when Bohs keeper Brian Murphy is also set to join the club.

Meanwhile, Watford have praised Town chairman and owner Marcus Evans for the way he handled the £1.7 million deal which saw Tamás Priskin join the Blues from the Hornets earlier this month.

Watford chairman Jimmy Russo has released a statement outlining why Reading's offer for midfielder Tommy Smith was unacceptable and in passing commented on the Priskin deal: "We showed in our dealings with Ipswich and Tamas Priskin that we understand the value of our players and that we are fair in our dealings.

"It is exactly the same with Reading and Tommy Smith. We have to give credit to Marcus Evans at Ipswich for backing his manager and negotiating with us in a quiet and discreet manner. It eventually produced a suitable and appropriate deal for Ipswich, Tamas Priskin and Watford."

Photo: Action Images

NewarkDan added 21:02 - Aug 23 A better quality of player than we have been linked to lately. Think he could do a good job in our midfield.
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TheBlueStig added 21:09 - Aug 23 This could proove quite a decent signing, prooved his worth with Crystal Palace when he was with them so he could deffinetly add to our squad, but surely if we are ready to sign players again then we need to ship some out. But the question is who will be leaving, could it even be some of Keane's summer signings? Who do we think people?
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the_egg added 21:13 - Aug 23 This would definately add such much needed backbone and steel to our midfield which really looks the biggest area of concern.
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bedsitfc added 21:17 - Aug 23 at last someone that should be good enough to go into our starting line up rather than squad players that are no better than we already have. i didn't think we needed many new players before the season started but after the 4 league games only r.wright and stead can hold there heads up, connor can but to be fair i think roy is putting to much pressure on him he should be an impact sub

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BlueBoyBurman added 21:24 - Aug 23 would b qualityyyyyy signing!
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jamie22 added 21:25 - Aug 23 i agree with you about Wickham bedsitfc, especially as he is getting the support from our midfield. but that should come with time!
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jamie22 added 21:29 - Aug 23 Saying that though, he has shown he can cope with it!
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Lightningboy added 21:58 - Aug 23 Watson is just the sort of player we need in midfield - hard working & not afraid to put himself about. Don't suppose there's much chance of getting rid of Delaney this week,is there!?
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itfcserbia added 22:40 - Aug 23 ^^^ lightningboy - unfortunately, i don't think so a tiny thought that we actually payed a fee for him makes me instantly ill :S
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MarkITFC added 22:41 - Aug 23 This would be a great signing. Strong , Creative just what we need.
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WadeyBlue added 22:43 - Aug 23 I think we should go for George O'Callahan and Tony Dinning. Both quality midfielders!
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villageblues added 22:43 - Aug 23 would b quality if we could get him, although i think we need another striker! and possibly a defender!
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jas0999 added 22:49 - Aug 23 Would be a decent signing, but like others have said, we need a striker and a defender
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bedsitfc added 22:51 - Aug 23 without doubt we need a leader at centre half someone like shittu
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dobbie73 added 23:05 - Aug 23 I think Watson would be a decent signing ..... funny how we had so many midfielders in pre-season and it was the forward line that was all our area of concern. Now it seems that maybe the centre of the park was weak all along. How many times last season with a supposedly better squad (if some of the fans are to be believed) was our midfield out-numbered, out-muscled, out-fought, and out-thought by the opposition? Quite a lot as I recall! I don't know exactly WHY it has been even worse this season, but I think an inherent weakness that has been there possibly since we lost Matty Holland has now been thoroughly exposed. And this weakness has been made worse by the loss of Norris (in my eyes potentially the new Matty H), the badly-timed and unfortunate sale of Shumi (nobody's fault, just sods law!), the hot/cold performances of Garvan (he really needs to step up to the plate now), and the general iffyness of Trotter (good potential but yet to deliver). These weaknesses haven't yet been mitigated by the new midfield arrivals of Martin (winger/striker - not central midfield), Healey (unproven as yet), and Colback (too inexperienced?) So Watson would inject some steel into that midfield as some have said, but I would also like to see someone in the Scholes mould, with the late runs to the edge of the box, stifling counterattacks from the opposition and giving an additional option supporting the strikers, much like Warky used to play in his younger days! It may be because its late on a Sunday night, but no names immediately come to mind though ...... anyone else?

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TractorRoyNo1 added 23:46 - Aug 23 Let's swap Priskin for Tommy Smith!
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superblue121 added 23:55 - Aug 23 Good to hear.
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itfcserbia added 23:59 - Aug 23 i always thought gavin williams was to replace matty, and i still think that we haven't seen the best of him... not even him... John-Joe O´Toole is interesting prospect if you aks me, Wade Elliott was outstanding last season all across midfield i don't know how many of you have seen young Serb Nemanja Matic, he recently signed for Chelsea. may be available for some loan, I would love to see him in Town shirt, although he's in a recovery process. he is fantastic - big, strong, great technique, pass, tackle, creative, good defensive, everything! go take a look on youtube if you don't trust me :)) boy is gonna be a next big star, some folks compare him to patrick vieira, but matic can play regular central, defensive or even attacking midfielder, and is great anywhere in the middle, unlike the french who is only good when crashing peoples legs comes to a view...

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ITFC1985 added 00:01 - Aug 24 Watson would be a decent addition to the team, we lack a midfielder with abit of bite about him especially with Norris out and this was plain to see the other night if this rumour is true then sign him up!!
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itfcserbia added 00:02 - Aug 24 i always thought gavin williams was to replace matty, and i still think that we haven't seen the best of him... not even HE - should write :)
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ITFC1985 added 00:09 - Aug 24 Gavin Williams although incredibly talented was very injury prone and we didnt see the best of him, and im not sure we can compare him to the likes of Matt Holland he is one of those players who will never have a decent replacement
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bigfish added 00:52 - Aug 24 Well done Roy - admitting the problems with the squad Exciting and shock signings for the best i am hopeful of.
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bournemouthblue added 02:01 - Aug 24 Excellent player, exactly the right sort of player we should be after Very good news if that's the kind of player we are looking to sign having failed to land Whitehead earlier in the window!
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NorwegianBlue added 06:41 - Aug 24 Have to agree with dobbie73. CM is the real area of weakness, and you could see by the substitutions at half-time at West Brom that RK understands. I did not realise how much we would miss Norris when he was injured. I think that with more steel in the midfield, a lot of our problems will be solved. The strikers should be okay. Priskin is an international, and will do well when he gets the service. Have not seen Watson play, but sounds like he would fit the bill.

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ross_da_blu added 07:39 - Aug 24 he would be an awesome signing he could hold the midfield and it is one of the signings we need to play balls in to the strikers SIGN HIM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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