Reports in the Honduran press are linking Platense central defender Osman Chávez with a possible move to the Blues by the end of the month. Chávez has recently been on trial at Celtic and has had similar spells with a number of Premier League clubs but is yet to be offered a deal with a UK side.

The 25-year-old Honduras international impressed Tony Mowbray during his time at Parkhead but the former Town skipper decided not to offer him a contract: "Osman did exceptionally well for us, but I have made the decision that he is not quite right for us."

Prior to that spell, Chávez, who is desperate for a move into British football, is reported to have been on trial at Blackburn, Wigan, Sunderland and Tottenham.

Chávez spent 2007/08 on loan at Motagua, the club where former Town trialist Emilio Izaguirre plays his football.

Central defence is not an area where the Blues appear to need cover at present, although manager Roy Keane may want to send Pim Balkestein out on loan again to get further experience. Tommy Smith is already at Brentford and may well stay until the end of the season.

Elsewhere, Town are again being linked with Stoke centre-half Leon Cort, who is also said to be interesting West Brom, Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

The Baggies are reported to be leading the chase and are prepared to pay £750,000 for the former Southend man.

The Blues were previously linked with 30-year-old Cort in October, although Roy Keane denied having made a loan bid for the ex-Crystal Palace man.

Photo: Action Images

Surco72 added 16:03 - Jan 27 Superflude good shout i was a little disappointed when Lee left and i am sure with some of the crosses we have been putting in he would certainly have had a few for us this year,strong in the air a big target man with a little more about him than most of the same style
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