Town striker Shefki Kuqi is set for talks with Bundesliga club Hansa Rostock. The German side have made an official approach for the Finn and the club are allowing him to talk to them.

Manager Joe Royle said: "We have had an official approach from them and we have given Shefki permission to go over there and have a look round.

"He told me he is keen to try his luck in Germany and wants to speak to them, so it is up to him now. We signed him on a free and we would not be looking for a fee."

Royle says that the timing isn't ideal with the season starting on Saturday and that if no agreement is reached between the 27-year-old and Hansa then he will be in the squad which faces Gillingham.

If the switch goes through quickly Royle may even have a new man in his squad before the weekend: "I have been speaking to clubs all summer and I will be doing so again today. I want a player who will be better at keeping the ball up front."

"There's always a possibility that we could have someone new for Saturday, but on the other hand we could have to wait a bit.

"We're not exactly short of strikers. We have another three, apart from Shefki, and there's always good old Bam Bam who can play there.

"There are a number of players in whom I am interested, but there has always been one uppermost in my mind."

Kuqi joined the Blues initially on loan from Sheffield Wednesday last September. Two months later the Blues agreed to take on his Wednesday contract which was said to be worth £6,000-a-week and runs out next summer.

With Georges Santos joining QPR last week and now Kuqi looking like he is set for an exit, manager Joe Royle now has some cash he can use to pay the wages of a new player or possibly two. The Town budget, however, is still tight enough to rule out paying any fees.

Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater, currently with Reading, has long been linked with the Blues and turned down a chance to move to Portman Road on loan last season. Whether Royle might fancy bringing in a player he knows well and rates highly is as yet unknown but his name is likely get a mention over the next few days.

Town currently have French striker Pascal Nouma on trial. The former PSG man had little opportunity to impress in the Blues' disappointing performance against Osasuna and has the rest of the week to make an impact on the Town management.

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