Alex Bruce and Owen Garvan have joined up with the rest of the Town squad at Loughborough University having been given last week off. The pair spent much of the summer away with the Republic of Ireland squad.

Garvan is still to tell the Blues whether he will sign his new contract which would keep him at Portman Road until 2011. The 20-year-old, whose current deal is up next summer, has been linked with Middlesbrough, Everton and Wigan in recent months.

The Town squad are spending the week at Loughborough as part of their preparations for the season ahead.

Meanwhile, released Aston Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen says he is still to find a club. Town enquired about taking the Danish international on loan in January and Jim Magilton said earlier in the summer that the former Sunderland man could come into his plans during the close season.

Sørensen is keen to remain in England: "I now hope that I can quickly find a new club that matches my ambitions.

"As a result, a club in the Danish league does not come into my thoughts.

”On the other hand, a club in England would be the right move - but it hasn't yet fallen into place.”

A Sørensen move to Portman Road now seems unlikely unless Richard Wright's proposed return to his old club collapses for a second summer running.

Elsewhere, former Blue George O'Callaghan is set to make a surprise swift return to English football with Tranmere Rovers, having only rejoined Cork City in January. Oldham Athletic and other League One sides are also believed to have expressed an interest in the midfielder.

Ex-Town striker Darren Bent is again being linked with Sunderland, although Aston Villa and Blackburn are also said to be eyeing the Tottenham man.

Wigan Athletic have turned down a Derby County bid for former Blues centre-half Titus Bramble.

Hull City are reported to have made a £1.75 million bid for Plymouth's Péter Halmosi, the left-sided midfield player having been linked with the Blues earlier in the summer.

Rangers midfielder Alan Gow, linked with Town on a number of occasions over the years, is reportedly set to complete a £300,000 switch to Norwich City.

The Canaries are also claimed to be renewing their interest in Shola Ameobi, however, until a deal is done to secure their new investment this seems unlikely.

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett has denied claims that the Lions are to sign Shefki Kuqi from Crystal Palace. The Finnish international was on loan with the Blues at the end of last season but was not offered a new contract at Portman Road.

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