Boss Joe Royle has poured cold water on reports linking Stoke City defender Clive Clarke and former Manchester City skipper Richard Edghill with moves to Portman Road. Last week, a newspaper in Ireland claimed Clarke was a target, while Edghill was mentioned in connection with the Blues over the weekend.

Royle is due home in the next day or so having undergone the first of two knee replacement operations at the end of last week. The former striker's knees have long been a problem and Royle will have surgery on the other one this time next year.

The Town manager left assistants Willie Donachie and Steve McCall, along with fitness coach Simon Thadani, in control of pre-season training while he was in hospital and expects to be working again within the a week.

Royle hopes to bring in one or perhaps two defenders before the beginning of the season but Stoke skipper Clive Clarke won't be one of them: “I don't know where that has come from. He will cost a fee so that virtually rules us out.”

A reunion with former Manchester City captain Richard Edghill also looks unlikely: “I know him and I like him. Edgy was captain for me at Manchester City and although he occasionally played on the left for me he is more right-sided.

“I would like any new defender to be left-sided, so as far as Edgy is concerned, at the moment, it's no.”

Another full-back familiar to Royle who is still available on a free transfer is Chris Makin. However, the 32-year-old left Portman Road under a cloud last summer chasing a Premiership contract at Bolton before ending up at Leicester and then Derby, and Royle — as well as Town supporters - may not be willing to forgive and forget.

The Blues may still be hopeful of signing former loanee David Unsworth. However, Portsmouth have so far been unwilling to settle the former Everton man's contract or pay part of his wages while he sees out the final year of his Pompey contract on loan with Town.

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