Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is understood to have monitored Town defender Tommy Smith’s progress during the World Cup with New Zealand. Smith played alongside Rovers centre-half Ryan Nelsen in South Africa as the All Whites achieved three draws, including a famous 1-1 with Italy.
The New Zealand skipper is believed to have recommended the Macclesfield-born man to his club manager.
Earlier in the week, boss Roy Keane said he expects Smith to challenge for a regular first team place at Town this season.
The former Stevenage Borough and Brentford loanee is contracted to the Blues until June 2012.
Meanwhile, David Sheepshanks is reported to have told colleagues that yesterday’s comments regarding Fabio Capello, ought not to be taken as him backing the underfire England boss.
Sheepshanks is said to want a detailed review of England’s disastrous World Cup campaign before any decision is made on Capello’s future.
Elsewhere, former Town loanee Jay McEveley is reported to be in talks with Barnsley after being released by Derby. The Scotland international was linked with a return to the Blues earlier in the summer.