Town have been linked with a move for Derby County frontman Rob Hulse. Wolves, Newcastle and Middlesbrough are also said to be chasing the £2.5 million-rated striker but the Blues are said to be the frontrunners for his signature.

Hulse, 30, started his career with hometown club Crewe Alexandra before moving on to West Brom, Leeds and Sheffield United.

The 6ft 1in tall striker, who is contracted until 2011, has scored six goals for Derby this season, having joined the Rams in the summer of 2008.

Elsewhere, Town, Sheffield United and Cardiff City are said to be monitoring Marlon Harewood’s time on loan at Newcastle with a view to possibly signing him on a short-term spell from Aston Villa if the Magpies decide not to extend his time on Tyneside. Harewood was previously on loan with the Blues in 1999, scoring one goal in five starts and one sub appearance.

Meanwhile, Hartlepool are reported to be closing in on the loan signing of Colin Healy, as first rumoured earlier in the week. Healy has hardly featured for the Blues since his move from Cork in the summer when Town nipped in ahead of Pools to land the Irish international’s signature.

On Tuesday, chief executive Simon Clegg revealed that the Blues are hoping to seal one or two loan moves out of the club before Christmas.

And finally, young Cheltenham Town keeper Joe Perry is spending time with the Blues this week on work experience. The 17-year-old has previously been named in Welsh U15, U16 and U17 squads.

Photo: Action Images

brockleyblueboy added 12:04 - Dec 18 The only memeory I have of Marlon Harewood was when we smashed a team by 5 goals and he was one on one with the keeper, rounded the keeper and with an open goal, he hit the post. Can anyone remeber what team that was or if they rememeber the game at all. Bottom line since then he hasn't done much and is another player we could well do without. Bit controversial but bring back Alan Lee??

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Suffolk_n_Good added 12:28 - Dec 18 £2.5m does seem alot for Hulse, but then if Priskin commanded a fee of £1.7m for his lacklustre services maybe £2.5m for Hulse is worth paying! Agreed Hulse is similar to Stead, & I think like others a more "nippy" type player is what we require. (What about Gio?!?!...... OK, sorry I only mentioned it as a joke coz no one else had!)
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debenhamsteve added 12:43 - Dec 18 Good point Colin V about Lee Barnard of Southend. Simon Cox was a prolific scorer with a struggling Swindon team in Div 1 last year after Reading had got rid of him. He went to West Brom close season and is now established in the team and banging them in. So you can step up. Pity we never saw what Jordan Rhodes might have been capable of at Champioship level. (I know we should all put that one to bed!!) As for Marlon Harewood - I've never been that struck on him. I think it was against Oxford he missed that sitter but according to Soccerbase it was only a 2-1 win. He only scored one for us against Bury away. http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=10728

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bluewein added 12:57 - Dec 18 Hulse:- Yes Harewood:- No Peakyboy:- Get over it!
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bostonusablue added 13:06 - Dec 18 Marlon King is in JAIL!!! Would be pretty happy with Hulse; proven goal scorer at this level which is what we need to get out of the Championship. Please stop talking about Rhodes. He has been sold. Get over it.
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itfcserbia added 13:10 - Dec 18 whoa, didn't know that! well, then, obviosly, not available for free, we'd have to put some bail to get him... ;)
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Wickets added 13:29 - Dec 18 Hulse and Mclean 4 me if poss.
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rayado_ingles added 13:33 - Dec 18 2.5mil for an average 30 y/o? Is that a joke??!? No thanks. No better than what we have. Bring back GEO!
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corshamblue added 13:39 - Dec 18 A lad called Jordan Rhodes is scoring a few, maybe pay 2.5m for him?
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brockleyblueboy added 13:45 - Dec 18 DebenhamSteve you are bang on, I think that game came in the run when we had been beating teams by 5 and then we scored early doors and then Harewood has his nightmare! Man that was a long time ago.
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Edinburgh_Blue added 13:47 - Dec 18 brockleyblueboy - I always thought Harewood was unfairly treated for that miss. He didn't round the keeper. The ball came high from behind him and over his shoulder. By the time he could make contact he was almost on top of the post! Thought he looked lively for us although it was 10 years ago. Has definitely improved and has pace...
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titanicclown added 13:58 - Dec 18 This would be mental! Clearly we need an option of pace upfront. Stead, Counago, Priskin, Wickham, John and Hulse all offer the same back to goal option. Lisbie would at least make some runs in behind defences and this is what we need so desperatley. Stead is a good player and should be one of the first on the team sheet in my eyes. If we are going to get a new striker in they must be something different to what we've already got.

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TractorRoyNo1 added 14:02 - Dec 18 Let's hope this is more paper / agent spin. Hulse or Harewood are both totally underwhelming.
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FriskinPriskin1 added 14:13 - Dec 18 Correct me if I'm wrong, but Stern John, on balance, is better than Hulse. We need Simeon Jackson - or someone of similar stature
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OnlyOneSirBobby added 14:25 - Dec 18 we need someone with a proven goalscoring record at THIS level...there are several strikers in leagues below that are scoring at will, but we all know that that doesnt always mean they will score at championship level...e.g. a certain sam parkin!! hulse would be a solid addition, however i dont see him being any different or better than priskin or stead...i would rather phillips from birmingham on a short term deal. but as january approaches, be prepared to be linked with every striker under the sun, the majority of these links will be complete paper talk

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greenkingtone added 14:40 - Dec 18 Aah! we've been "linked." Made up journalism I'm afraid. Ignore!
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petersongoal added 14:47 - Dec 18 i say keano needs to let the boys we have got settle down for a bit. stead, pabs, priskin and lisbie coming back in january and stern john if he stays on. why do we need another striker!!!!!
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shelfmeister added 16:58 - Dec 18 What about sharp on loan at doncaster,he,s knocking them in for fun!!
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blueM3 added 17:44 - Dec 18 When is someone going to take a punt on prising Jermaine Beckford away from Leeds. Probably missed the oat now though as they are finally doing well in League 1. He is exactly the right age and has huge potential. Would be a great move bringing him in.
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ChambersM added 18:38 - Dec 18 grr why would hulse come to us? Newcastle, Wolves and Middlesborough...i dont think he will want to come and play for roy keane when hes only JUST got us out of the relegation zone!! And as for Harewood, that just takes the piss!
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slowerball added 20:16 - Dec 18 Hulse, Harewood.... they do seem to be our kind of targets... Oh dear. Recall when Parkin scored two goals at Elland Rd. Hulse missed a few great chances and a pen... Not judging a guy on one game (have seen him multiple times both live and on TV) - he is not the answer - and not at that price. Let's hope it's paper talk - initiated by his agent...
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runaround added 20:28 - Dec 18 I dont think Hulse is any better than what we already have, although if we did sign him i hope he could prove me wrong. I would prefer someone like Aaron McLean...Phillips or Harewood could be good on loan but its whether they would want to come here that could be the problem
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bloooosman_malta added 20:32 - Dec 18 keane 2.5m for hulse? Would never beleive that!!
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Mungo added 22:46 - Dec 18 Hulse is a solid, but unspectacular Championship player. Not significantly better than any of the strikers we already have (if any better at all?) and £2.5m seems way over the odds, particularly given his age and injury history.
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BlueJoe added 22:55 - Dec 18 GET BENJANI KEANE!!!!
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