Released Leicester City defender Patrick Kisnorbo is reportedly a summer target of Town and Crystal Palace. Foxes boss Nigel Pearson recently told the out-of-contract Australian that he is not in his plans for next season.

Kisnorbo, 28, played alongside Town skipper Gareth McAuley at the Walkers Stadium prior to the Northern Irishman's move to Portman Road last summer.

The 6ft 2in tall central defender or occasional midfielder joined Leicester from Hearts on a Bosman free transfer in the summer of 2005 and has since made 133 starts and seven sub appearances for the Foxes, scoring 12 goals.

Born in Melbourne of Italian and Mauritian descent, Kisnorbo played youth football with St Bernard's College, Essendon City, Bulleen and South Melbourne, with whom be began his senior career.

After the Australian NSL collapsed in 2003 Kisnorbo, who has won 14 senior caps with Australia in addition to appearances at U20 and U23 levels, joined Hearts, where he made 60 starts and seven sub appearances, scoring two goals.

Kisnorbo says he is disappointed at leaving Leicester and hopes manager Pearson, who was close to being offered the Town boss's job in the summer of 2006, will come to regret his decision: "I have to show Leicester next season what they are missing because I'm desperate to stay in the Championship."

Town fans may recall Kisnorbo as the Leicester defender red-carded for a foul on Pablo Couñago which led to a penalty during the Foxes' November 2007 visit to Portman Road, which the Blues won 3-1. The dismissal was eventually overturned by the FA.

Meanwhile, Manchester United winger Lee Martin is again being linked with a summer move to the Blues.

Elsewhere, former Blue Titus Bramble is said to be Steve Bruce's likely first purchase if, as expected, he is named as Sunderland manager. Bruce, father of Town defender Alex, is said to be ready to pay £5 million to Wigan, where he is currently boss, for the ex-Newcastle centre-half.

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