Scunthorpe United are keen to take midfielder Liam Trotter to Glanford Park on a permanent basis this summer even if the Blues decide they want to keep the 20-year-old. Trotter spent the last few months of the season on loan with the Iron and helped them to make a swift return to the Championship.
Out-of-contract Trotter was reported to have held talks with manager Roy Keane on Thursday but as yet there is no confirmation as to whether a deal is on the table.
However, regardless of any offer from the Blues, reports in North Lincolnshire say that Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins will look to sign the Ipswich-born player permanently, even if it means paying Town the compensation due if new terms are on offer at Portman Road.
Elsewhere, on a quiet Sunday on the Town rumour front, the latest two Sunderland players linked with moves to the Blues are Irish strikers Daryl Murphy and Anthony Stokes.
Murphy, capped nine times by the Republic of Ireland without scoring, spent several spells on trial at Playford Road in the 2004/05 season before eventually deciding to join Mick McCarthy's Sunderland. The 26-year-old was a regular in Roy Keane's Black Cats side.
Stokes, who has won three full Irish caps also without hitting the net, was signed from Arsenal by Keane for £2 million in January 2007 after an impressive half-season on loan at Falkirk. This season the 20-year-old has spent time on loan at Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.