Town are one of a number of clubs reported to be interested in Sheffield Wednesday central defender Richard Wood. The Blues, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Coventry City are all claimed to be monitoring the 23-year-old's situation this summer.

Wood has only a year left on his contract at Hillsborough and the Owls would probably want to sell him if a new deal isn't agreed, although manager Brian Laws is said to be confident that the 6ft 3in tall defender will put pen to paper on new terms.

The Osset-born player came through Wednesday's youth system and is their longest-serving player, having made his first team debut in 2003.

A Wednesday supporter, he was named joint-captain along with Steve Watson last summer but handed in a transfer request in September, which was rejected by the Owls. Interest from Crystal Palace, Birmingham City and Coventry City was subsequently reported.

In November last year, Wednesday exercised an option to extend Wood's contract by a year until the summer of 2010 and are now keen for him to agree a longer-term deal.

In 2005/06 Wood was included in a Football League Select side which faced an Italian Serie B team and has now made 166 starts and 12 sub appearances for his only club, scoring six goals.

Town appear to be in the market for another centre-half with Iván Campo leaving the club at the end of the season. Released Leicester man Patrick Kisnorbo was recently linked with a move to Portman Road.

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