Town will sign Irish U21 international trialist Daryl Murphy in the summer if they can find the cash, according to his current club Waterford United. Murphy has been with the Blues for a second spell this week and has impressed Joe Royle.

Waterford want £100,000 for the services of their star man which may prove a problem if the Blues aren't promoted at the end of the season.

Alan Reynolds, manager of the Eirecom League side, says the move now very much looks on the cards: "Things went well for Daryl. He finished training and it is clear that they are interested in him.

"Joe Royle has gone to his board to see what kind of money they have to spend. But he seemed happy with Daryl and Daryl seemed happy with how the week went."

TWTD first broke the news that the the Irish U21 international was with Town for his first spell in early December.

Then his time at Town was cut short by a groin injury but the former Luton Town trainee was confident that he would be able to impress Joe Royle and his staff in a future trial.

Murphy, who can also play in midfield, scored 22 goals during the 2004 Irish season and has won six caps with the Ireland U21 side.

The 21-year-old scored on the opening day of the Irish season last week in a 2-1 win against Longford Town. He missed Saturday's 2-1 victory over Finn Harps as he was in the Irish U21 side which lost 3-1 to Israel.

His time with Luton wasn't as successful as he would have hoped and he was sent out on loan at Harrow Borough prior to his release.

Since moving back to his homeland he has made massive strides and won both the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland Young Player of the Year and the Waterford United Supporters' Club Player of the Year awards in 2004.

Murphy is currently the highest-rated youngster still playing in Ireland and Manchester United, Manchester City, Sunderland and Scottish Premier League side Livingston have all been linked.

The 6ft striker recently signed a contract tying him to Waterford until 2008, a deal mainly designed to make sure that his hometown club receive a fee when he moves.

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