Town have been linked with a move for Newcastle midfielder Alan Smith. The 31-year-old former striker, who was recently mentioned in connection with a return to his hometown club Leeds, could be released by the Magpies in the next few days having made only two appearances this season.

A holding midfielder in the mould of ex-Manchester United and England man Smith has been on Paul Jewell’s wish list since the summer.

Jewell has previously said he’ll be targeting “young, hungry” players in January but the Blues boss could well be interested in someone of Smith’s pedigree, although his likely wage demands would appear to be challenging to any Championship club.

The 5ft 10in tall Yorkshireman could have his Newcastle contract cancelled by mutual consent due to his lack of involvement to allow him to find a new club in January, although manager Alan Pardew may choose to hang on to the 19-times capped England international until he has added to his squad.

Smith joined Newcastle from Manchester United in August 2007 for £6 million, having signed for the Red Devils for £7 million from Leeds in May 2004.

Meanwhile, former Blues boss Jim Magilton is reported to have been approached by Derry City regarding the managerial vacancy at the League of Ireland club.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Bobbychase added 09:47 - Jan 3 Oh dear lord no. How could anyone defend Jewell and Clegg if this happened. Remember he's only classed as a midfielder because he's a striker who has forgotten to score. Think about that. A striker who can no longer score.
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Sindre94 added 09:53 - Jan 3 Hes a good player, shut up moaners
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PauloJulio added 09:53 - Jan 3 Great, were leaking goals so lets get another over-the-hill, injury prone, overpaid, lazy ex-prem midfield player in! Is PJ out of his tiny scouse mind! If this is true then it will show just how out of touch PJ is. I half expect next week to see us signing Strachan, Batty & McAllister!
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yorksblue added 10:16 - Jan 3 taykor 15 & Sindre 94 Are you two still on the xmas sauce?
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jas0999 added 10:18 - Jan 3 5-year plan? Yet more injury prone has been's on big money - has PJ not already signed enough of them? JEWELL OUT!
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Letchworth_Blue added 10:42 - Jan 3 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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walberswick added 11:27 - Jan 3 Get in Alan Smith, Lee Hughes and Joey Barton and we'll have the set.
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NSL added 11:37 - Jan 3 Spotted at the training ground yesterday and will sign this week. Not the first unsavoury charactor from the North East spotted at Playford Road recently either.
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airliner added 12:15 - Jan 3 lets sign Catona as wel
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Brazils_Hair added 12:19 - Jan 3 DO ME A FAVOUR!!!!!!!!!! How many more has-beens are going to bleed us dry this season? I haven't felt like this since my brother and I joined the pitch invasion that eventually led to the departure of John Duncan!
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broomfield123 added 12:20 - Jan 3 Harry kewelll ang nigel martin anyone
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airliner added 12:46 - Jan 3 Steve Claridge, john wark, nigel clough, roy keane lol
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casanovacrow added 13:55 - Jan 3 I don't think Jewell realizes when he was out of a job time didn't stop.
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AlanMahon2011 added 14:10 - Jan 3 Eirik Bakke is signing I heard
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AlanPardew added 14:30 - Jan 3 Excellent player who I encourage ITFC to sign.
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nitroblue1970 added 16:14 - Jan 3 loose paper talk that doesn't really translate into reality.....but translate this Jewell..... FO FFS!
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Blue_Again added 16:58 - Jan 3 my mate dell is laughing at us his a chelsea fan dear oh dear
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happybeingblue added 17:14 - Jan 3 this has to be a joke surely! wed be better off with ALAN lee!! at least he can find the back of the net!!
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happybeingblue added 17:35 - Jan 3 jewell says that centre half is a january priority-any town fan who witnessed last years defending would have told you it should have been his main priority in the summer!! clueless!!get billy davies in asap before hes snapped up by someone else!! ie leicester- how much longer do we have to suffer watching crap football-no tactics-no flair-no width- the list goes on-if we had seen some progress then maybe there would be some hope but i think itfc fans must be the most patient in the football world-i cannot think of any other similar sized club being happy with these people running OUR club!

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Taricco_Fan added 17:41 - Jan 3 * sigh *
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fussysnake added 18:40 - Jan 3 Too old and not worth the wages as not a proven goal scorer
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bluearmy4life added 18:49 - Jan 3 Pathetic. JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT.
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townie1 added 19:16 - Jan 3 Bit passed it!
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TimmyH added 19:25 - Jan 3 Read it in the Sun today as well, so some speculation about him must be true...
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runaround added 21:56 - Jan 3 Fits the bill perfectly, past it, injury prone, but was good in 2006, just like Bullard, Bowyer, Ingimarsson, Ellington etc. Could make that place on the treatment table his own!
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