Blues' boss Joe Royle has revealed that he has spoken to three managers as he searches for a new goalkeeper. Yesterday Everton manager David Moyes revealed that Royle had made enquiries about Paul Gerrard.

The Town manager says that despite his enquiries a deal is not yet done: "I have spoken to three managers about goalkeepers and while we are not close to completing a deal as yet, I'm confident of getting in a new keeper by next season."

Former Town loanee Gerrard is the only name to emerge as a target, however Royle feels that he might be out of the club's range: "Financially it would be difficult for us but it is not completely out of the question."

Gerrard, 30, still has a year left on his Everton deal and his wages are likely to be far higher than he would be on if he moved to Town. Everton may let him go on a free transfer, although newspaper reports on Merseyside indicate that they may ask for a fee of £300,000.

Town hope to come out of administration at the end of May while the transfer embargo is likely to be lifted at an FA board meeting on June 4th.

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