Town’s move for Wigan striker Jason Scotland is on hold while the Latics secure his replacement, according to reports in Lancashire. Over the weekend, Blues boss Roy Keane said he was hopeful of signing Scotland in time for Saturday’s game at Crystal Palace.
However, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is said to want to secure a replacement for Scotland before he’ll allow him to move on with Chelsea’s Franco di Santo a loan target. The Latics face Chelsea at the weekend, so the Argentinian wouldn’t be able to play for Martinez’s side until the following week. The Latics boss is also concerned about Victor Moses, who suffered an injury in the 4-0 weekend mauling by Blackpool.
Wigan confirmed that they had accepted an offer believed to be £750,000 from the Blues last week with the player subsequently holding talks with Town.
Meanwhile, ex-Blue Owen Garvan says he won’t be out to show former boss Roy Keane what he’s missing when his Crystal Palace side meet Town on Saturday: "I do not think I have a point to prove to him.
"You do not want to go down that route really, I am not that type of person. I am only interesting in prove a point to myself, the rest will follow.
"I do not really know if I had a good relationship with Keane to be honest but that does not concern me. Those days are gone and all that matters to me now is playing well for Crystal Palace.
"It will probably be a bit strange playing against the lads so early on in the season but it is a game I am looking forward to.
"I know the lads and what they are good at and they know what I am good at so it will be interesting to see who wins out."
Garvan will line-up alongside fellow former Blues Darren Ambrose, Alan Lee and David Wright on Saturday for the club now managed by George Burley. Ex-Town keeper Lewis Price is likely to be on the bench.
Elsewhere, former Blue Richard Wright is being linked with Middlesbrough, having been released at the end of last season. Wright has been training with Palace, where ex-Town keeper-coach Malcolm Webster is also now employed, since leaving Portman Road.