TWTD understands that former Blue Tommy Miller is at the top of Joe Royle's summer wish list. The midfielder only left Town for Sunderland on a Bosman free transfer a year ago, but could be set to return for a third spell at Portman Road.

The Blues will hope to sign the 27-year-old on a free transfer with the Wearsiders likely to be keen to cut their wage bill after relegation and with only a year of Miller's contract remaining.

Easington-born Miller was with the Blues as a schoolboy, playing in the same side as Kieron Dyer, but was released as a 15-year-old as he was considered too small.

After starring for Hartlepool between 1997 and 2001, George Burley brought him back to the club on a four-year deal for an initial fee of £750,000.

Miller, whose father Tommy senior is both his representative and the chief scout at Hartlepool, scored 36 goals in 139 appearances in his second spell with Town before leaving at the end of his contract last June.

In his season with Sunderland the penalty specialist scored three goals in 29 matches as the Black Cats crashed back into the Championship.

Royle, known to be after a goalscoring midfielder, revealed prior to the Blues' final game of 2005/06 at Plymouth that he had a definite target in his sights: "I already have an eye on a midfielder further on in his development [than the departing Jimmy Juan] who will help us really threaten next year."

Elsewhere, Town are almost certain to be linked with another former player Jamie Clapham after he was released by Birmingham at the weekend. Rumours in the Midlands claim the 30-year-old is being targeted by Wolves.

Meanwhile, Blues legend Terry Butcher is considering an offer to manage A-League side Sydney FC. Butcher's former Town team-mate Mich D'Avray is already technical manager at another A-League club, the Perth Glory.

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