Town are reported to be one of a number of Championship clubs showing an interest in Trinidad and Tobago international Silvio Spann. The 25-year-old, the first Trinidadian to play in Serie A, is out of contract having left Japanese club Yokohama FC in the summer.
Sunderland are said to head the chasing pack with the Blues and Southend also keen on the former Perugia midfielder, who has previously had a trial spell at Sheffield Wednesday. An attempt to move to England a year ago failed due to work permit issues, but this situation is now thought to have been resolved.
The presence of international team-mate Dwight Yorke at the Stadium of Light apparently makes Wearside Spann's preferred destination if he manages to impress manager Roy Keane during a trial. If not, a similar spell at Town could follow.
Spann, described as a hardworking player full of running, was named in the Trinidad and Tobago squad for the World Cup but dropped out due to a hamstring injury.