Out-of-contract central defender Drissa Diallo is likely to be Joe Royle's first permanent Town signing if the Blues' transfer embargo is lifted by the Football League on Wednesday. The Mauritanian-born Guinea international is available on a free transfer and has interested both Town and Burnley in recent weeks.

Town exited administration on Friday and the League will meet on Wednesday to decide whether to return the club's 'share', a development which will see Joe Royle able to begin adding to his squad.

Ironically, the former Mechelen man made his Burnley debut against Town at Turf Moor in January, impressing both sets of fans with a towering display.

Diallo, 30, joined Stan Ternent's side after his Belgian club Mechelen suffered major financial troubles. Initially signed on a monthly basis, he won a deal until the end of the season and then the offer of a new contract for 2003/04.

TWTD understands that the Blues have been in talks with Diallo and he is likely to be the first long-term signing of the Joe Royle era. Paul Gerrard's loan in November last year is the only time a player has moved to Portman Road since Royle took over last October.

The Town boss has previously indicated that he will start to bring in players immediately he is empowered to do so.

Richard Naylor, Fabian Wilnis and Jim Magilton are all likely to commit to their new one-year deals with the club once the transfer embargo is lifted. All three will see their current contracts end on June 30th.

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