Sunday's tabloids are linking the Blues with veteran French midfielder Cyril Rool. The 32-year-old is also reported to be interesting Southampton.

Rool, who has been playing in the French top division for the last 13 years, is currently with Nice and is a fearsome midfield battler very much in the mould of the type of player Jim Magilton has been targeting all summer.

Born in Pertuis, Rool would provide Fabian Wilnis with stiff competition in the sending off stakes if Town are interested and if he does sign, having amassed a French record 20 red and 130 yellow cards.

Rool started his career with French third tier side Aix-en-Provence where he failed to make a senior appearance before moving on to second division side Bastia, who he helped to promotion in 1993/94, prior to joining Lens in 1998.

After three seasons, the 5ft 8in tall midfielder moved on to Monaco for a year, during which time he spent a month on loan at Marseille and then in 2002 he rejoined Lens for a further two seasons. One year at Bordeaux followed, ahead of his switch to Nice in 2005.

Town and the Saints are said to have spoken to Rool's representatives about a move with Nice claimed to be keen to sell, although he has played the full 90 minutes of all their games so far this season. Norwich and Charlton were previously linked.

Boss Jim Magilton was hoping to add a ball winner to his midfield during the close season with Plymouth's David Norris the subject of an enquiry.

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