Town are reported to be renewing their attempts to sign Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll on loan. The Blues and Norwich City are both interested in recruiting the England U19 international, according to Carroll's agent Peter Harrison.
Harrison says his player is considering a possible move to Carrow Road, but any move depends on Kevin Keegan's say-so: "Andy is certainly interested in Norwich.
"I'm going to sit down and assess the situation with Andy and talk it through, but a lot of it would depend on whether Kevin Keegan gives it the go ahead. There are other clubs interested in Andy with Ipswich being one of them.”
Town boss Jim Magilton confirmed he had made an enquiry regarding the 6ft 3in tall frontman in July but were told he wasn't available by then-Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce.
Highly-rated Carroll, who is contracted to the Magpies until 2011, subsequently joined Preston where he scored once in seven starts and four sub appearances between August and January. The Gateshead-born striker has so far made only nine sub appearances for Newcastle and is yet to score for the Premier League side.
Swindon Town were linked with a loan move for Carroll during the transfer window. Football League clubs can sign players on an emergency loan basis from Friday.
Harrison has also confirmed that another of his players, new Town signing Velice Sumulikoski, spent time on trial at Carrow Road before opting for a move to Portman Road.
Meanwhile, Polish keeper Grzegorz Szamotulski has joined Preston after leaving Dundee United. Szamotulski was said to be the reason for Jim Magilton's regular visits to Scotland to catch the Terrors in action during the transfer window.
Preston have also been linked with a loan move for their former striker David Nugent, who was claimed to be interesting the Blues earlier in the week. Nugent is currently out of action having undergone hernia surgery but hopes to be back in action when his current side take on his old club in the FA Cup on February 17th.
Elsewhere, former Town goalkeeper James Pullen has joined Ryman League Premier Division AFC Wimbledon on loan from Blue Square South side Eastleigh.