Boss Joe Royle says that he hopes to bring in new players within weeks of the season ending. Royle is keen to have the vast majority of his squad in place ahead of the pre-season programme.

Royle said: “Inquiries have been made and gone well. Hopefully we will have someone in within a week or two of the season finishing.”

The Town manager is keen to permanently sign of former loanee Ricardo Fuller, although the striker's excellent recent form and Premiership terms at Southampton could be stumbling blocks.

Royle is also targeting a central defender in his early 20s to challenge Richard Naylor and Jason De Vos for their places, while an attacking midfielder has also been identified as a priority.

The Blues are understood to have spoken to Reading's Stephen Hunt, while Coventry's Stephen Hughes was linked earlier in the month, although it's likely a fee would be involved which could force Town to turn their attentions elsewhere.

Out-of-favour Wolves midfielder Colin Cameron is another player available on a Bosman likely to be in consideration. The 33-year-old Scottish international is expected to leave Molineux in the summer if Glenn Hoddle remains in charge, despite being a firm fans' favourite in the West Midlands.

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