Newly-promoted Stoke City will offer Town £1 million for Jon Walters, according to one of this morning's tabloids. The Blues, meanwhile, are linked with Fulham keeper Antti Niemi.

Town would be unlikely to allow Walters to leave, particularly for a fee which seems low in the current market. The player himself signalled his intention to remain at Portman Road in January when he signed a new contract tying him to the Blues until 2011. During the last transfer window Wigan were strongly linked with the 24-year-old.

Finnish international Niemi is the latest in a string of keepers to be mentioned in connection with the Blues. The 36-year-old is no longer the Cottagers' first choice and could well move on over the summer. Hull City and Aston Villa have already been linked with the former Southampton man.

The Blues are in the market for keepers this summer with Stephen Bywater unlikely to be offered a permanent deal and Nick Colgan expected to be released at the end of his short-term deal.

Town chief executive Derek Bowden says the number one spot is still being considered: "We have made no firm decisions yet on goalkeepers. It is still very open.”

Shane Supple is still in Jim Magilton's plans, according to Bowden, despite the Irishman saying that he would welcome a return to Falkirk next season, either on loan or permanently. Bairns boss John Hughes is also keen for the 21-year-old to return to the SPL for 2008/09.

TWTD understands that former Blue Richard Wright would be interested in a return to Portman Road with boss Jim Magilton already having confirmed that he would like to bring the West Ham stopper back to Suffolk.

However, Tony Mowbray and West Brom are also chasing Wright and the lure of Premier League football may be too much to resist.

Other keepers to be linked with the Blues this summer include recently released Aston Villa stopper Thomas Sørensen, who was a Town target in January, Liverpool youngster David Martin, Northampton's young English keeper Mark Bunn, Carlisle's Irish glovesman Keiren Westwood and Linfield's Northern Irish international Alan Mannus.

Bowden says the club will look to name a new goalkeeper-coach once the new first choice keeper has been brought in. Former Blues coach Malcolm Webster looks to be favourite for the job if he can be prised away from current club Southampton.

Elsewhere, Town are reported to be in a fight with Middlesbrough and two unnamed Premier League sides for £1 million-rated Cardiff City centre-half Roger Johnson.

The 25-year-old 6ft 31⁄2in tall defender joined the Bluebirds from Wycombe Wanderers in 2006 and impressed last season as Dave Jones's side reached the FA Cup final.

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