Boss Joe Royle will hope to receive a boost to his loan budget over the weekend from Darren Bent making his England debut against Wales. The Blues will be due more cash from Charlton - understood to be a six-figure sum - if the 21-year-old striker plays in a competitive international.

Town's deal with the Addicks for Bent was worth an initial £2.5 million plus another £500,000 based on appearances for Charlton and England as well as a sell-on clause.

Chairman David Sheepshanks recently said: "If he plays in a competitive international for England we will receive a substantial sum, both for a first game and a second one if it happens."

Town could get very lucky if Bent makes an appearance at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and then again in Wednesday's match against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park.

Meanwhile, Joe Royle says he knows nothing of Icelandic newspaper reports claiming Town interest in Halmstad striker Gunnar Heidar Thorvaldsson.

Royle has also denied keeping an eye on Colchester's Neil Danns. Town representatives have been at a number of games at Layer Road recently with midfielder Danns thought to be the target. Last season the Blues were strongly linked with Colchester's England U20 international Greg Halford.

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