Former Newcastle full-back Steven Carr is again being linked with the Blues as well as QPR, while Town defender Dan Harding is said to be interesting Reading, according to national newspaper reports.

Carr is currently a free agent having been released by Newcastle in May after an injury troubled season. The 32-year-old was linked with the Blues on a number of occasions over the summer.

Town are likely to look at adding a full-back to their squad during January but a left-sided player seems more likely with ex-Blue Hermann Hreidarsson already having been linked.

Harding is out of contract at the end of the season and is on loan at Southend until January. The Shrimpers are believed to be keen to sign him permanently, but the fee and the defender's wages may be beyond them.

According to a weekend tabloid report, Reading are keeping an eye on the former Brighton and Leeds man, who is out of action at present with a hamstring injury.

Elsewhere, Steve Claridge's scouting report in today's Guardian focuses on Town's Billy Clarke, currently on loan with Darlington.

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