Town manager Joe Royle has revealed that clubs have expressed an interest in striker Marcus Bent in the last few days. Premiership clubs have just one day to make any new signings with the transfer window closing on Monday.

Royle says: "There has been some interest shown in Marcus over the past couple of days and we need movement on player wages if we are to bring new people in."

Fulham and Leeds are reported to be the clubs interested, although there is no confirmation of this from Town. Leicester were claimed to be after Bent earlier in the week.

Bent is Town's second highest earner and the Blues would welcome the reduction to the wage bill that his exit would bring. Joe Royle may also look on his departure not unfavourably with his strike force perhaps the area where he has the most cover.

Royle is also keen to bring in a loan player or two, something which can't happen until existing players are taken off the payroll.

Alun Armstrong, who has attracted a lot of loan interest, will play some part against West Ham and will want to show any watching scouts what he can do.

Youngsters Matt Richards and Darren Bent are also reported to be interesting Premiership clubs - Newcastle and Southampton - but this appears to be speculation based on links earlier in the summer.

Bent and Richards are the players that David Sheepshanks and his board most want to hang on to and unless a very substantial cash up front fee was offered it is unlikely the club would let either of them go.

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