Keeper Shane Supple is claimed to be a January target of Town's Championship rivals Charlton Athletic. The Irishman is yet to make a first team appearance for the Blues since Neil Alexander moved to Portman Road in the summer.

It would be a surprise if the Addicks were chasing Supple as they have one of his rivals for the Irish U21 keeper's jersey already in their squad. Darren Randolph, who was recently capped at B level alongside Alex Bruce and Jon Walters, is currently ahead of Supple in the pecking order internationally and made his Premier League debut in the final game prior to Charlton's relegation in May.

However, it would be little surprise if Supple made a loan move in January with a number of lower league clubs likely to be interested in adding the 20-year-old to their squads.

Town have looked at a number of trialist keepers of late, most recently US-born FSV Frankfurt stopper Kenneth Kronholm. The signing of a third keeper, perhaps on a deal until the end of the season, would allow Supple to move elsewhere temporarily to gain experience.

Supple was previously linked with the Addicks back in April 2006 when former manager Alan Curbishley was spotted at Portman Road on a number of occasions.

Meanwhile, Town boss Jim Magilton may have noted Birmingham City making former Colchester United midfielder Neil Danns available for transfer. Danns was a player Joe Royle would have added to his squad had Town been promoted in 2004/05 and who was also linked with the Blues in the summer of 2006, although prior to Magilton taking over as manager at Portman Road.

Elsewhere, former Blue Darren Bent is being linked with a move to West Ham, the club he turned down in order to join Tottenham in the summer.

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