Town will be among a number of clubs sending scouts to watch Dundalk winger Daryl Horgan in action against Cork City in this afternoon’s FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium. Fellow Championship sides Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Reading and Preston North End will all be represented, as will as three MLS clubs.
The Blues previously watched Horgan in action last month with manager Mick McCarthy subsequently saying that "about 100 scouts” were watching the 24-year-old.
Horgan says he’s unconcerned by the interest in him and will be concentrating on retaining the trophy this afternoon.
"It’s obviously nice to be getting a bit of recognition every now and then but it’s not something that drives me,” he told RTÉ Sport.
"I want to win things and try and not let it affect my football because at the same time, the football is what’s getting the recognition, it’s not me as a person.
"People want to see me playing well and Dundalk playing well and if I get too sucked into it, the football will suffer and that’s the last thing I ever want to happen.”
He has ruled out joining anyone on trial with the Irish season, which runs through the summer, coming to an end.
"In a sense it’s disappointing that people don’t consider the league of a high enough standard,” he added.
"There’d be no chance that a League One club would go play in the Europa League and compete the way we have.
"I’ve gone on trials but I don’t think I’d be ever going on trial again and I wouldn’t encourage young players to go on trial. When you’re playing in the League of Ireland, I don’t think it’s necessary.”
Horgan, named the PFAI Player of the Year for 2016 last month, and was included in Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland squad for the first time last week following his performances for the Lilywhites, who recently confirmed their third successive Airtricity League Premier Division title and have impressed in Europe this season.
The Galway-born wideman, whose contract is coming to an end and will be available on a free transfer in January, started his career with Salthill Devon before moving on to Sligo Rovers, Cork City, initially on loan, and then his current club in 2013, having spent time on trial at Barnsley and Torquay United.
Capped by Ireland at U19 and U21 levels, primarily right-sided Horgan has also been linked with Premier League Everton.
While with Dundalk Horgan has also carried off the 2015 FAI Cup, the 2014 League of Ireland Cup and the 2015 President’s Cup.
He was named the PFAI Young Player of the Year in 2014 and was selected in the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Speaking on Thursday, Town boss McCarthy poured cold water on a report linking the Blues with another Dundalk player, Andy Boyle.
Meanwhile, former Blues midfielder Byron Lawrence, currently with Leiston, has spent time on trial with Vanarama National League Dagenham and Redbridge, while we understand his performances for the Ryman League Premier Division side this season have also caught the eye of League Two Leyton Orient.
Lawrence, now 20, became the second youngest player to feature for the Town first team when he came on as a sub at Doncaster on the final day of 2011/12 aged only 16 years and 47 days, his only senior appearance for the Blues. Spells with Colchester and Bishop's Stortford followed before he joined Leiston in the summer.