Town, Watford and Blackpool are all being linked with a loan move for young Liverpool keeper David Martin, son of former West Ham defender Alvin. The 22-year-old joined the Reds from the MK Dons in 2006 and in 2007 had a spell on loan at Accrington Stanley.

After starting his career as a schoolboy defender with Tottenham, Martin, 6ft 1in tall, progressed through the youth system as a keeper with the Dons, then known as Wimbledon, making his senior debut in a 2-0 defeat to Burnley in April 2004.

Liverpool came calling after he had made only 25 senior appearances and, having spent a week on trial, he moved to Anfield in January 2006 for a nominal fee.

The Romford-born youngster is yet to make a competitive appearance for the Reds, but was on the bench for the Carling Cup clash with Reading last season.

In February 2007 he joined Accrington Stanley on loan and, after suffering an injury in his first game, made 10 appearances for the League Two side.

Very much seen as one for the future, Martin recently signed a new contract which will keep him at Anfield until 2010.

Town spent the second half of the season looking at a number of keepers both here and on the continent as they search for a long-term replacement for Neil Alexander and perhaps a second stopper as back-up.

Boss Jim Magilton has admitted former Blue Richard Wright is on his wish-list, although it is believed that ex-Town coach Tony Mowbray wants to sign him for his newly-promoted West Brom side.

Thomas Sørensen, released by Aston Villa, was a player Magilton tried to sign on loan in January, and may be interested in recruiting again now on a permanent basis, however, Danish sources expect the 31-year-old either to move to a Premier League club or return home to join FC Copenhagen.

Town have also been keeping tabs on Linfield's Northern Irish international keeper Alan Mannus, while TWTD understands that Club Brugge's Stijn Stijnen was one of a number of European-based glovesmen former keeper-coach Andy Rhodes watched in action towards the end of the season, although the Belgian international has been linked with Dutch clubs including PSV.

It looks unlikely that either Stephen Bywater or Nick Colgan will be offered new terms by the club, while Shane Supple could re-join Falkirk on loan next season in order to get games under his belt.

Elsewhere, there are further reports that Town will move for Heerenveen central defender Pim Balkestein this week.

The 21-year-old Dutchman has been named on a standby list for a Dutch U21 squad for a training camp ahead of this summer's Toulon tournament.

Balkestein is believed to be joining the Blues, having been on trial at Portman Road earlier in the month, with his father Luuk, who won his only full Holland cap playing alongside Frans Thijssen in a 0-0 draw with France in 1980, amongst those in the running for Town's new international scouting role.

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