Town are reported to be on the verge of signing Blackburn Rovers striker Marcus Bent. Blackburn sources say that Graeme Souness's club have accepted a £3 million verbal bid from Town for the 23-year-old striker and that talks will take place throughout the week and he could line-up for Town on Sunday at Boro.

There is no official comment from anywhere as yet, but the reports say the deal is extremely close to completion and that Bent and his agent will watch Town's game with Inter this evening.

Bent scored at Portman Road for Sheffield United as Town drew 1-1 with the Blades in early 2000. He moved to Blackburn for £2.1 million last November, but isn't in Graeme Souness's plans.

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