Town are reported to be watching West Brom centre-half Pablo Ibáñez with a view to taking him on loan. The 30-year-old Spanish international is currently out of favour at the Hawthorns having signed on a Bosman from Atlético Madrid a year ago.
The Blues are said to have been at the Baggies’ reserve game against Everton on Tuesday to catch Ibáñez in action.
The Madrigueras-born player has made only 12 starts and two sub appearances for West Brom, scoring one goal, and was not in the squad for last week’s season opener with Manchester United.
Ibáñez, who is 6ft 3½ tall, played the full 90 minutes as the Blues beat the Baggies 1-0 in the Carling Cup at Portman Road last season. He has two years remaining on his contract.
Capped 23 times by Spain, including a regular place in the team at the 2006 World Cup, and 10 times at U21 level, Ibáñez came through the ranks at Albacete, progressing to their B team then senior side before moving on to Atlético Madrid, with whom he has played Champions League football, in 2004.
Town boss Paul Jewell is desperate to bring in another centre-half with Damien Delaney and Tommy Smith currently his only options while Ãvar Ingimarsson is out with a thigh strain.
Elsewhere, former Blues defender Pim Balkestein has joined Rochdale on loan from Brentford.