Town and Crystal Palace are interested in signing West Brom midfielder Richard Chaplow, according to a Sunday tabloid. The 22-year-old has made only four starts this season, two of those in the Carling Cup, in addition to two sub appearances.

England U19, U20 and U21 international Chaplow joined the Baggies from Burnley for £1.5 million in January 2005, but has made only 37 starts and 20 appearances from the bench since his switch, scoring three goals.

The Accrington-born midfielder spent three months of 2005/06 on loan at George Burley's Southampton.

West Brom want to agree a fee which would see Chaplow, whose contract is up at the end of the season, move permanently in January with the 5ft 9in tall midfielder joining his new club on loan in the meantime.

Boss Jim Magilton was keen to sign a combative midfielder in the summer with Plymouth's David Norris his prime target. Chaplow could well be seen as an alternative to Norris, who is currently interesting Southampton.

Meanwhile, former Town boss Joe Royle is reported to have pulled out of the running for the job of Leicester City boss. Elsewhere, Royle has been linked with the vacant Wigan manager's position.

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