Town have again been linked with Stockport County keeper Owain Fôn Williams, who is also said to be interesting Leeds, Sunderland, Burnley and Sheffield United. Leeds are said to be winning the race for the 22-year-old’s signature.
Former Wales U17, U19 and U21 international Williams was previously linked with the Blues back in January of last year.
Stockport are in administration and Williams, who has been called up to the Wales full squad but is yet to win a senior cap, is likely to leave the club during January along with a number of his team-mates.
Williams joined County from Crewe in the summer of 2008 having failed to make a senior appearance for the Railwaymen.
Boss Roy Keane has said on a number of occasions that he likes to have three senior keepers in his squad. Brian Murphy has signed on a Bosman from Bohemians in Ireland and Arran Lee-Barrett is set to sign a new contract later this month, but with Richard Wright out with a knee injury until the end of March, Keane currently has only two keepers to choose from.
However, it is more likely that the Blues would look for a loan stopper to cover for Wright until the former England keeper, whose Town deal is up in the summer, is fit again, rather than make another permanent signing.
Meanwhile, Derby striker Rob Hulse wants to stay with the Rams rather than join the Blues or Middlesbrough during the transfer window, according to a tabloid report. Town have recently been linked with Hulse on a number of occasions, while Boro tried to sign him during the summer transfer window.
The ex-Crewe man is said to prefer to stay with Derby for the moment before making a decision on his future in the close season when he will have only a year left on his contract.