Town are amongst a number of Championship clubs chasing Sunderland defender Nyron Nosworthy. The 30-year-old, who spent last season on loan with Sheffield United, looks set to leave the Stadium of Light this summer.
Brixton-born Nosworthy began his career with Gillingham as a right-back, making his senior debut in 1998.
His performances for the Gills impressed former Blues boss Joe Royle, who targeted the defender when he allowed his contract at the Priestfield Stadium to run down at the end of the 2004/05 season. However, Sunderland, who had been promoted to the Premier League, won the race for his signature and the 6ft tall defender moved to Wearside instead.
Nosworthy quickly broke into Mick McCarthy’s team and made 32 appearances in his first season at the Stadium of Light as the Black Cats were immediately relegated with a then-record low total of 15 points.
The following year under new manager Roy Keane Nosworthy reverted to centre-half and became a key member of the side which won the Championship at the first attempt, winning the club’s Player of the Season award and jointly picking up the North-East Football Writers' Player of the Year gong.
The Londoner remained a regular for the next season and a half in the Premier League but his opportunities were more limited once Steve Bruce took over as boss.
Keane had by now taken over at Town and in the summer of 2009 became the second Blues manager to try to sign Nosworthy but the player was keen to stay in the Premier League at that stage of his career.
However, in February 2010 the man nicknamed Nuggsy joined Sheffield United on loan, remaining at Bramall Lane until the end of the campaign.
A season-long loan back with the South Yorkshiremen followed in 2010/11 during which time Nosworthy made 31 starts and one sub appearance before he returned to Wearside early with the Blades’ relegation all but confirmed.
The defender, who has a year left on his Black Cats contract but is likely to be available on a free transfer, qualifies for Jamaica via his father but despite a couple of call-ups is yet to win an international cap.
An experienced right-sided centre-half is very much on manager Paul Jewell’s summer wish-list with Gareth McAuley departing at the end of his contract. Nosworthy’s history as a full-back may also be an added attraction with the Blues short of cover.