Town are chasing West Brom's Belgian defender Carl Hoefkens, according to various national newspaper reports this morning. The Dutchman is out of favour at the Hawthorns and has reportedly been watched by Jim Magilton and chief scout Steve McCall.

Hoefkens, 30, started his career in his home country with Lierse, Lommel, Westerlo and Germinal Beerschot before moving to England and joining Stoke Cuty in 2005.

The 6ft 1in tall defender made 93 starts and three sub appearances for the Potters, scoring five goals, before making a £750,000 switch to West Brom in the summer of 2007.

A regular in West Brom's Championship-winning side last season, Hoefkens has been largely out of the picture this season, making only five appearances. Overall for Albion the Belgian has made 50 starts and two sub appearances, but is yet to score a goal.

Hoefkens's contract is up in the summer, although West Brom have an option for a further year, and is therefore unlikely to cost anything above the £250,000 mark.

Capped 24 times by Belgium, Hoefkens is primarily a right-back, although he can also play at centre-half. According to this morning's reports he is seen as Alex Bruce's replacement with the Republic of Ireland man expected to leave the Blues in January.

Town are already talking to former Drogheda central defender Graham Gartland regarding a move to Portman Road.

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