Reports linking Town with Trinidad and Tobago international midfielder Chris Birchall have been refuted by Port Vale manager Martin Foyle and the player's agent Alex Levack. A national newspaper first linked Birchall with the Blues last month with the story subsequently picked up by a local paper earlier this week.

Foyle says he is keen to tie the 22-year-old to a longer deal at Vale Park: "It's obvious that his name will be mentioned after his displays at the World Cup.

"But we're hoping that we can agree a new contract with him."

Agent Levack says that there have been no discussions with other clubs regarding Birchall's future: "We have not talked with anyone and would not do so unless Port Vale instructed us otherwise."

Meanwhile, Town trialist Colin Healy is reported to have been offered a contract by SPL side Motherwell. Free agent Healy is with the Blues for a week and is down to play 45 minutes of Saturday's first game of pre-season at Boston United (KO 3pm).

The Blues may have to wait to find out if they are in with a chance of signing former midfielder Tommy Miller from Sunderland.

Miller is on Jim Magilton's summer wish list but new Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn says he is not keen to get involved with player movement before a new boss is appointed at the Stadium of Light: "My priority is getting a manager in. If I'm trying to get a manager in and I'm selling players before he has even seen them then I don't think it would work. He is not going to be too happy if I was selling players.

"The manager does remain the priority but, having said that, I will be taking a couple of days to see if there are any players who are due to move in or out, or whether it will be a manager coming first."

Miller has a year left on his Sunderland contract and may be allowed to leave on a free transfer or for a small fee. As well as Town, Leeds and Southampton are reported to have shown interest in the former Hartlepool man.

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