Hartlepool have confirmed that Town have shown a firm interest in midfielder Tommy Miller while yet another Belgian also appears to be interesting the Blues and stories are once again suggesting Town interest in ex-Norwich man Darren Eadie.

It does appear that Miller is one of the players David Sheepshanks was referring to on Thursday when he said Town were negotiating for two unnamed players. Hartlepool spokesman Paul Mullen said: "Ipswich are one of the clubs who have been in contact. If we receive the right offer for Tommy he will not be with us at the start of the new season. We have had contact with two big clubs so we will have to see what happens."

However, Town face stiff opposition for Miller’s signature from Crewe. Dario Gradi’s club have had an £800,000 bid accepted and Miller has already looked round the set-up at Gresty Road.

The latest Belgian to be linked with Town is 17-year-old midfielder Jonathan Blondel. Town spotted him playing for his country in the European Under-16 Championships held in the North-East last April. Blondel currently plays for Excelsior who have him tied to a contract until 2004. He has already had a trial at Manchester United and is highly-rated throughout Europe.

Also being linked is Leicester’s Darren Eadie. Town were reported to be chasing the ex-Norwich midfielder earlier in the summer but their interest waned after Eadie underwent a knee operation. George Burley said recently that he wanted to watch at least one of his targets in pre-season before deciding whether to make a move. Eadie could well be the man, particularly with Leicester City so keen to bring in James Scowcroft.

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