Town are willing to listen to offers for centre-half Damien Delaney, according to one of this morning’s tabloids. The 31-year-old is currently out of the Blues’ first XI with Tommy Smith taking his place alongside Luke Chambers in pre-season games since returning from Olympics duty with New Zealand.

Delaney, who has a year left on his Town contract, was linked with a move to Nottingham Forest last month, although manager Paul Jewell said the club had heard nothing from the Midlands club, who subsequently signed former Blues loanee Danny Collins, a left-sided centre-half like Delaney.

Jewell recently confirmed that he had made a bid for another left-sided centre-back, Doncaster’s George Friend, who decided to join Middlesbrough instead.

The Blues boss is looking to offload players — Jimmy Bullard and Jaime Peters are both set to have their contracts settled — in order to fund further additions to his squad.

Meanwhile, Rangers manager Ally McCoist says he hopes his club will be entitled to a fee if Town target Maurice Edu moves on. Previously it had been understood that having failed to transfer his contract to the Rangers newco Edu was available on a free transfer, although a report yesterday said the Glasgow club would receive £300,000 for the US international.

McCoist admits that even he’s not entirely certain of the situation: “There’s a chance of money for Maurice Edu and Dorin Goian. I’m not sure if that’s the case with Carlos Bocanegra if he decides to leave. To be honest, I’m all claused out when it comes to contracts.”

Elsewhere, Dundee United winger Gary Mackay-Steven, who was linked with the Blues by the Scottish press earlier in the week, is reportedly a target of Swansea and Huddersfield. The Terrors are said to want around £2 million for the Scotland U21 international, a fee which would certainly price Town out of the market.

Photo: Action Images

RYITFC added 09:34 - Aug 12 After a good start to his town career, Damo's performances have declined in recent times. I don't think any town supporter would object against Damo moving on. We do need to be careful though, this would leave us with only 2 recognised central defenders, we need a minimum of 4.
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scotty2hottyITFC added 09:36 - Aug 12 Keep him as a backup to Smith and Chambers.
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itfcserbia added 09:37 - Aug 12 wow, get Bocanegra from Rangers too!
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cobboldmassive added 09:41 - Aug 12 unless we sign players, I see no point in offloading from positions where there is barely any cover, another stupid decision if true...
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BigAlsMate added 09:51 - Aug 12 Can someone explain to me how, potentially, a team like Huddersfield can compete for the signature of a player that we are unable to afford? I realise much of this is speculation and the famous "linked with" which means nothing much at all .... but nonetheless, it still makes for rather depressing dialogue at times.
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itfc94 added 09:51 - Aug 12 I think its great to be wanting to get rid of all the dead wood. However, make sure there is a replacement. No point being short come first game of season!
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alztar added 09:53 - Aug 12 I think he's a good cover player who shouldn't be off loaded, would love to see Wilson from Celtic if he does go though!
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Tractorog added 10:11 - Aug 12 Off loadin with no cover is less stupid than bringing in with no budget provided there are good loan players available.
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Jimmys_Law added 10:35 - Aug 12 We need at least three centre backs at the club and I think Delaney is more than good enough to be our backup. However seeing as he is in the final year of his contract, it makes sense for the club to either listen to any offers for him, or consider offering him a new contract. It's only worth letting him go though if Jewell has another (hopefully younger) replacement lined up. I've been hearing some rumours linking us with Stephane Zubar of Bournemouth, and possibly Marc Pugh. Don't know if there is any truth in them though, probably just speculation.

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Karlosfandangal added 10:47 - Aug 12 If true does this mean that Wilson from Celtic is on the way? would like to see 4 central defenders at the club must not be in the same situation as we were last season
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GetInTheGameScowcrof added 10:49 - Aug 12 I'd definitely let him go, but not until we've got another CB in. I'm afraid that DD can be the difference between winning and losing a game (and not in the good way!)
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buryblue77 added 10:54 - Aug 12 I would only let him go if we have a replacement lined up, I would be a bit nervous as to only have 2 CB's with only Ainsley (who I don't believe is of Championship standard) as back up. If true this could mean that Wilson is on his way, given that Delaney was signed by money splashing Keane I would imagine he's on a fairly high wage still, definitely more than we would want to be paying for a back up player.

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Infineteregress added 10:55 - Aug 12 Have to echo many of the sentiments expressed here. No point in getting rid unless we have replacement signings lined up.
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Big_Foot_Blue added 10:57 - Aug 12 Big als mate theres two reasons I can see for them being able to afford him over us, A) There structure is based on financial survival in league 1 and now the have a bit of profit where we make big losses if we dont sell Connor Wickham every season and we are working toward financial fair play now. B) They don't care about financial fair play yet, they are gonna try and bounce straight into the prem ala southampton and scum, they can probably risk this because if it goes wrong they just sell Rhodes and they are probably ok financially.

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irishtim added 11:07 - Aug 12 Dont get rid until we have someone to replace him signed up. We need cover in case we get injuries.
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WeirdFishes added 11:44 - Aug 12 IPSWICH ARE BETTER THAN EVERYBODY
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WeirdFishes added 11:45 - Aug 12 Oh and as much as I feel that Delaney is one of the worst footballers ever to have lived bar maybe FIsh, it is pointless to offload players in a position where we are already low on numbers.
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yorksblue added 12:11 - Aug 12 Alex - You obviously don't remember Phil Whelan . Now he made carthorses look good.
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brittaniaman added 12:21 - Aug 12 We seem to be the poor relations of the Championship now, scraping round the bottom of the barrels, compared to some other clubs we are the Poundland and Primarks of this league ????
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taylor15 added 12:40 - Aug 12 this sounds promising. maybe we are close to agreeing a deal for another centre back? hope it's kevin wilson.
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SamWhiteUK added 13:00 - Aug 12 As much as I don't rate him, do we really need to be getting RID of center backs!
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lilcornishblue added 13:04 - Aug 12 YESSSS!! FINALLY PJ SAW SENSE!!! DELANY HAS GONE!!!
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theblueginger added 13:22 - Aug 12 4 CB's is what we need. Delaney may have his limitations, but he is a decent championship defender. seeing as we are not likely to sign 2 new CB's we shouldn't change for changes' sake.
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irishtim added 14:41 - Aug 12 Delaney can also play left back so he is goo cover.
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milliem added 14:57 - Aug 12 Did he catch his key ring on the door handle?
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