Reports in Ireland claim Town are amongst a number of clubs interested in signing former Liverpool Academy midfielder John Paul Kelly. The Blues, Aston Villa, Celtic and former club Liverpool are all said to be keen to tempt Kelly into a return to the UK.

Kelly, a Republic of Ireland U19 team-mate of Town's Billy Clarke, left Anfield early in the season after becoming homesick. But the 17-year-old is thought ready to return to the UK with the Blues amongst the interested parties, although Liverpool look favourites to re-sign the player, who previously joined them in the summer of 2003.

The Blues already have a number of Irish youngsters at the Academy. Central defender Gerard Nash is on the way back from injury, while striker Billy Clarke, midfielders Owen Garvan and Cathal Lordan, goalkeeper Shane Supple and full-back Michael Synnott all played in last night's FA Youth Cup victory over Portsmouth.

Central defender Chris Casement, also in action against Pompey, is from north of the Irish border.

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