Midfielder Owen Garvan has been offered a new two-year deal by the Blues. The Irish youngster's current contract ends in the summer of 2009.

The 20-year-old was again watched by Wigan last night with their chief scout and former Town striker Keith Bertschin in attendance.

At the weekend a tabloid newspaper linked the Latics, who are managed by Alex Bruce's father Steve, with Garvan, while Jon Walters and Liam Trotter are also believed to be interesting the Lancastrian side.

Garvan, who will reportedly decide whether to accept Town's offer in the summer, was delighted to be called into a preliminary full Republic of Ireland squad for the first time on Tuesday: "It's a great honour to be picked for the senior squad and now I hope I make the 28.

"[Ireland U21 coach] Don Givens told me that he was putting my name forward to Mr Trapattoni and I was thrilled when I was told I was in the squad.

"It's gone OK for me when I have played for the Ireland U21s and hopefully this is a sign that I am making progress.

"It's always been an ambition of mine to play for my country at the top level and if I'm in the final 28, then that will take me one step closer.

"With the new manager in charge, it's a chance for some of the younger players to make an impression but there are a lot of good players in the squad, so we will just have to wait and see what happens.”

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