Defenders Danny Higginbotham and Paul McShane are the latest two members of Roy Keane's Sunderland squad to be linked with summer moves to the Blues. McShane is still with the Black Cats, while Higginbotham is now at Stoke City.

The Blues boss is said to have sounded out the pair about joining the Blues during the close season. Previously, David Healy, Dean Whitehead, Jordan Henderson and several other members of Keane's Sunderland squad have been claimed to be on the Blues boss's wish-list.

Higginbotham, 30, seems unlikely to want to drop into the Championship having been a regular in the Potters side which recently secured Premier League safety.

The former Manchester United trainee, who joined Tony Pulis's side from Keane's Sunderland last summer for £2.5 million, will be well known to Keane from their spells at Old Trafford and the Stadium of Light, but the Ex-Derby County and Southampton man would appear to be happy at Stoke.

McShane spent the first half of last season on loan at Hull City after falling out of favour under Keane's management. The Irish international returned to the Stadium of Light in January after keane had left but has made only three sub appearances for the Black Cats.

The Kilpeddar-born defender came close to joining Town in the summer of 2006, but eventually decided to sign for West Brom.

Like Higginbotham, McShane started his career with Manchester United, going on loan to Walsall and Brighton prior to his move to the Hawthorns and then his 2007 switch to Sunderland. The 23-year-old has another year remaining on his Sunderland contract.

Meanwhile, Manchester United winger Lee Martin, linked with the Blues on Monday, is said to be interesting Birmingham City. On Tuesday it was reported that the newly-promoted Midlanders would be taking Celtic's Bobo Balde, another player linked with Town, on trial.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls