Sunderland are reported to be closing in on Town target Bobo Balde on what's been a busy day involving players linked with the Blues.

Roy Keane is said to see former Celtic team-mate Balde as his new centre-half now that his attempt to sign Younes Kaboul from Spurs appears to have failed.

Talks between the Black Cats and Balde are reported to be have started with Kaboul now expected to join Portsmouth, who have continued to watch Town's Danny Haynes during the Blues' pre-season games.

Jim Magilton confirmed earlier today that he would like to speak to Balde, who is also interesting Birmingham and Wolves. The Guinean international is available on a free transfer despite having a year left on his Celtic deal.

Elsewhere, Crewe are reported to have accepted a £2 million bid for Nicky Maynard from a Championship club believed to be Bristol City. Magilton ruled the Blues out of the running for the 21-year-old last week, saying the Railwaymen had priced him too highly.

Former Aston Villa keeper Thomas Sørensen has signed a three-year deal with Stoke City. Town tried to sign Sørensen on loan in January and the Dane was linked again earlier in the summer, although Richard Wright was always Jim Magilton's number one goalkeeping target.

Hull City are the latest Premier League club to be linked with Nuremberg frontman Angelos Charisteas.

Meanwhile, Town's U17s lost 2-1 to the English Colleges FA in the quarter-final of the BT Northern Ireland Trophy this afternoon. The Northern Ireland Trophy is contested by some of the sides eliminated from the Milk Cup in the group stages.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls