Town are linked with Doncaster Rovers defender George Friend and Exeter City midfielder Liam Sercombe in one of today’s tabloids. Crystal Palace and Millwall are also said to be interested in Friend, while the Lions and newly-promoted Southampton are believed to be joining the Blues in eyeing Sercombe.
Friend, 23, plays at centre-half, left-back or in midfield and started his career with Exeter, during which time he had spells on loan with Tiverton Town and Team Bath.
Having become Exeter’s youngest-ever captain and helped the Grecians back into the Football League, the Barnstaple-born defender moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of the August 2008 transfer window for an initial fee of £350,000.
Loan spells at Millwall, Southend, Scunthorpe and Exeter followed as Friend managed only six starts and two sub appearances in two years with Mick McCarthy’s club.
Last summer, the 6ft 1in tall defender joined Doncaster on a two-year deal and has impressed, making 31 starts and two sub appearances, scoring one goal. Friend was in the Doncaster side which lost 6-0 to the Blues in February but was an unused sub in the game between the sides at Portman Road.
Town have already been strongly linked with a summer move for £2.5 million-rated Rovers striker Billy Sharp, while midfielder James Coppinger is also rumoured to be a Blues target amongst their fans.
Like Friend, central midfielder Sercombe also came through the youth ranks at Exeter, his hometown club, progressing into the first team in the 2007/08 season.
The 21-year-old faced the Blues earlier in the season in the Carling Cup as the Blues won 3-2 at St James' Park after extra-time. Sercombe, who is 5ft 10in tall, has now made 92 starts and 24 appearances from the bench, scoring six goals, and can play as a deep-lying midfielder, in a more attacking central role or at right-back.
Both Friend and Sercombe are likely to be well-known to Town coach Sean McCarthy, who had been living in the South-West prior to joining the Blues in January. Chief scout Steve McCall also has connections in Devon, having spent time with both Plymouth and Torquay.
Meanwhile, former Blue Richard Naylor, 34, has been released by his hometown club Leeds, who joined from Town in January 2009.
Manager Simon Grayson wished his side’s now former skipper all the best: "I'd like to thank Richard for everything he has done during his two-and-a-half years with us.
"He's been a great captain for the club, both on and off the field and I can't speak highly enough of him and what he has done.
"There was no one prouder than Richard last May when we won promotion back to the Championship and he has played a big, big role in the turnaround of this football club.
"Unfortunately, we're not in a position where I can offer Richard regular football now and allowing him to move on will give him the best possible opportunity elsewhere.
"I think I speak on behalf of everyone connected with the club - the staff, the players, and the fans - when I wish him all the best for the future."