Sheffield Wednesday are among a number of Championship and Premier League sides keen on Blues striker David McGoldrick.
Although we understand no club is imminently expected to make a move for the 28-year-old, Wednesday, with whom McGoldrick was briefly on loan in 2011, and several other clubs are interested and are set to monitor the Republic of Ireland international’s progress in pre-season and during the early weeks of 2016/17 before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
The ex-Nottingham Forest and Southampton man returned to action in the final weeks of last season after a long spell out with hamstring problem and scored two goals in the Blues' last two games, having also spent significant time on the sidelines through injury during the previous two campaigns.
He subsequently joined up with the provisional Republic of Ireland squad ahead of the European Championships but was left out of the final 23.
McGoldrick, among the top earners at Portman Road, probably the highest, is contracted until the summer of 2018 and Town are likely to want a significant fee for the Nottingham-born frontman, although his valuation won't be anywhere near the £7 million they turned down from Leicester in the summer of 2014.
Meanwhile, Huddersfield have confirmed that midfielder Jack Payne will be joining them on July 1st following his Southend exit.
Town were one of several Championship clubs to have been eyeing the 21-year-old, however, we understand the Blues never got as far as offering the player terms or discussing compensation with the Shrimpers.
Elsewhere, ex-Town striker Marcus Bent pleaded guilty to one count of possessing cocaine at Wimbledon Magistrates Court this morning and was fined £385 with £85 costs, having been arrested at Chessington World of Adventures yesterday.
In February, Bent was handed a 12-month jail term suspended for two years, ordered to pay a total of £2,600 in compensation, court fees and victims' surcharge, given 200 hours of community service and a two-month night-time curfew at Guildford Crown Court, having previously pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and affray.