Reports this morning claim that contrary to earlier stories Town's Spanish-based target is not Spanish. Yesterday's story which claimed that Deportivo's Fran may be the player we are after has therefore also been rubbished.

The £4 million-rated player is certainly based in Spain, that much is certain from comments made yesterday to George Burley, but if the latest reports are correct he is a foreigner playing there. The Town boss said he was naming no name until after the player had agreed terms.

Deportivo La Coruña are reported to have dismissed the suggestion that their captain Francisco Gonzalez, known as Fran, is the man Town are talking to.

Inevitably the guessing will go on and all looks likely to be revealed when the team return from Finland and Estonia.

Celta Vigo have finally released Pablo Couñago's registration and he will be able to play in Town's Premiership games. Town had become concerned that the Spaniards, unhappy at Pablo's move, were taking so long to send the documents.

George Burley said: "We have had official confirmation that Pablo will be available which is great news for the club. It was a bit strange that it took so long but everything is sorted out."

Town play VPS this evening in the second of their pre-season friendlies. The side yesterday travelled to Vaasa, where VPS play, and trained.

There was good news as James Scowcroft and Alun Armstrong recovered from minor injuries. The only struggler now is Mark Venus, other than Jim Magilton and Gary Croft who both remained in England. Matt Holland and Hermann Hreidarsson were both given longer breaks and won't be involved tonight.

Andy Marshall is likely to start this evening after Keith Branagan was given the nod in the 4-2 win over Tampere United.

Squad: Marshall, Wilnis, Clapham, Makin, Bramble, McGreal, Brown, Karic, Wright, Reuser, Abidallah, Scowcroft, Miller, Couñago, Stewart, Bent and Branagan.

Photo: Action Images

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