Town boss Joe Royle has admitted that he made a tentative enquiry regarding the availability of former loanee Alan Mahon. A tabloid newspaper linked the Irishman with a return to Portman Road over the weekend.

Royle said: I had a word with Wigan manager Paul Jewell at the start of the summer, just to see what the situation was with Alan.

"I like Alan and I liked what he did for us when he was here last season - and I've never denied that I would have loved to have been in a position to have taken him permanently.

"While I spoke to Paul, it would give totally the wrong impression to say we made a move to sign Alan, but I admit I would have loved to have taken him.

"As it is, Paul said he isn't interested in doing anything. Wigan paid good money for him and, while it would have been nice to have been able to get Alan, it isn't going to happen and we move on."

The ex-Blackburn man has been spotted around town on a number of occasions recently. However, his return has merely been to visit former Tranmere team-mate Georges Santos and to work on some property investments in the area.

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