Boss Joe Royle has revealed that he has a player in mind as a replacement for striker Darren Bent. The England U21 international is expected to leave this summer with Charlton and Sunderland leading the chase.

Royle says his target is available on a free transfer: "I have identified a player who is out of contract and he is aware of our interest in him. Beyond that, I cannot say any more at this stage.

"It is a busy period and, as I have said before, I want to know what's what in the next two to three weeks.

"As soon as I know which players are definitely leaving I will set the wheels in motion to consider replacements."

Royle is understood to have enquired about Watford striker Heidar Helguson but was quoted a fee -probably around £1 million - beyond what the Blues can afford, even with the expected sales of Bent and Kelvin Davis.

Once again it seems that Town's summer rebuilding will be based on free transfers and loan players, perhaps indicating that the 2004/05 budget was overstretched by the loan signings of David Unsworth and James Scowcroft, both of whom were on Premiership contracts.

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