Town target Angelos Charisteas scored the winner for Nuremberg as they defeated Stoke City 1-0 in a pre-season game in Austria last night. Charisteas, who appears to be completely over his weekend knee injury, played for 68 minutes before being replaced.
There appears to be nothing new on Town's move for the 28-year-old Greek frontman, who seems to be preparing to stay with Nuremberg for the season ahead, despite his club needing to raise money through transfers.
No other clubs are being linked with Charisteas either in Germany or Greece, aside from French side Nantes who were mentioned a week ago. The former Ajax and Feyenoord striker has repeatedly said that he is happy at Nuremberg, although he did recent admit in one interview that he might be tempted by a move to England or Spain.
Elsewhere, another Blues target Rudi Skácel played his first pre-season game of the summer for Southampton last night as a Saints reserve side defeated Weymouth 3-2. The Czech international was taken off after 70 minutes.
Skácel's move to Town appears to have come to a halt in over the last few days despite reports in the Czech Republic claiming a contract had been agreed and his agent saying that the deal was close to being completed. A £1 million fee had previously been set by the clubs.
Yesterday, Southampton boss Jan Poortvliet spoke about the situation saying the move was still to be done rather than had broken down: "There was interest in Rudi from Ipswich but no deal has yet been done.â€Â
TWTD was first to reveal Town's interest in Skácel a fortnight ago when the left-sided wide player was in Suffolk talks regarding personal terms and to undergo a medical. The 5ft 10in tall midfielder subsequently returned to Prague to consider the switch.
One of the former Hearts, Marseille and Panathinaikos man's concerns was whether new Czech coach Petr Rada would consider him for the national side if he was playing outside a top division. This may well be something Skácel is still to clarify
Meanwhile, Honduran trialist Emilio Izaguirre will begin his 15-day trial with the Blues today having arrived in England yesterday.
Izaguirre plays at left-back or left midfield and may come in as cover for Ben Thatcher, with whom Town revealed they had begun contract talks earlier in the week, or as competition for Skácel, if he signs, and Gary Roberts, if he stays, at left midfield.
Reports in Honduras claim Town and his current club Motagua have already agreed the terms of a deal if the 22-year-old impresses during his trial.