Town are again being linked with a loan move for Stoke City central defender Ryan Shawcross. The former Manchester United trainee was previously mentioned in connection with the Blues earlier in the month.

Then Stoke boss Tony Pulis said his club was unwilling to allow the 20-year-old to move: "There's no way he's leaving this football club in this [loan] window.

"At the end of the window we will obviously take stock of everything at the club, but I'm hoping Ryan will have shown the right spirit, character and work ethic to get back in the team.”

Derby County and Town's Wednesday Carling Cup opponents Wigan Athletic are also reported to be interested in the England U21 international, who joined Stoke from Manchester United for £1 million in January after spending the first six months of last season on loan at the Britannia Stadium. Wigan would have to wait until January if they are interested as Premier League clubs are unable to make loans outside the transfer window.

Shawcross, who spent time on loan with Royal Antwerp in Belgium while a Manchester United player, looks to have dropped out of the first team picture at Stoke with the Potters signing Ibrahima Sonko, Danny Higginbotham and Andrew Davies during the summer.

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