Newspaper reports in the Midlands claim Town were amongst a number of Championship clubs targeting Liverpool striker Neil Mellor ahead of the transfer window's closure yesterday. Boss Joe Royle is known to rate Mellor, who made his senior debut for the Reds against Town in the Carling Cup at Anfield in 2002.

Mellor reportedly decided against a switch to the Blues as he is keen to stay nearer his home in the North. Derby County and Stoke City were favourites to land the frontman yesterday, but in the end a knee injury prevented the former West Ham loanee from moving.

It is unlikely that Mellor is the player that Town were close to bringing in yesterday, with the 23-year-old having already made his intentions to stay in the North clear earlier in the week.

The Blues were first linked with Mellor in the summer of 2003 with Joe Royle admitting that he was a player he rated, although at that time he wasn't looking for a striker: “Neil is a very promising player and if we had to look for a loan striker he would definitely fit the bill."

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