TWTD understands Fulham have been keeping close tabs on Blues midfielder Flynn Downes in the opening months of the season, while QPR have watched central defender Luke Woolfenden.

Downes, 20, has made a hugely impressive start to the campaign and it is little surprise that clubs from higher divisions are starting to take notice.

Ex-Town midfielder Brian Talbot, Fulham’s assistant director of football operations and chief scout, was at Portman Road for the recent FA Cup tie against Lincoln as the Championship’s third-placed side continue to monitor the former academy youngster, who became the club’s youngest-ever skipper in Sunday's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Coventry.

Brentwood-born Downes, who has been widely tipped for a Premier League future, is contracted to the Blues until 2022 with the club having an option for a further season.

Town would almost certainly look to resist any firm interest in the England U20 international at this stage of his career and given his importance to the Blues’ promotion aspirations.

Woolfenden, 21, has made a similarly eye-catching beginning to his first full senior season for Town having spent last term on loan in League Two with Swindon.

Again, Town would be far from keen to let the former East Bergholt High School pupil, who is also contracted until June 2022 with the club having an option for an additional year, to depart this season.

Photos: TWTD

PositivelyPortman added 14:56 - Dec 3 I honestly think at this stage of their careers, and the fact that they're both local lads, it wouldn't even enter their heads to move on. They both seem very level headed from what I've read - and besides, Lambert wouldn't allow it.
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PositivelyPortman added 14:56 - Dec 3 I honestly think at this stage of their careers, and the fact that they're both local lads, it wouldn't even enter their heads to move on. They both seem very level headed from what I've read - and besides, Lambert wouldn't allow it.
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tractorboybig added 15:05 - Dec 3 paper talk but as supermouth plays them ever other or third game they wont be missed.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 16:42 - Dec 3 Woolfenden is a future captain for me and lynchpin of our defence already and Downes again will take over from Skuse so again pivotal to our future backbone of the team. I'd like to think we won't be so stupid as to sell these but Evans has done in the past so who knows! If he does that's it for me.
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Linkboy13 added 16:48 - Dec 3 Lambert doesn't seem to think Wolfendens worth a regular place in the team despite being outstanding all season wouldn't blame him for leaving. This is the problem with the marvellous rotation system players like to be playing regular football, don't see Liverpool or Manchester city making wholesale changes to their league teams only in the Mickey mouse cups that's probably why PV Lambert's managing in Div 1.

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Marshalls_Mullet added 17:00 - Dec 3 Championship clubs wouldnt be doing their jobs if they werent looking at these two players.
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TR11BLU added 17:28 - Dec 3 Why would Wolfie even consider QPR, we will likely swap places at the end of this season. Do one, both.
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jas0999 added 17:56 - Dec 3 If we don't get promoted this season we could be in League zone for a while. That said, I wouldn't bet against Evans selling at least one of them. Much will depend upon whether the club can cash in on Bart.
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Saxonblue74 added 17:57 - Dec 3 Both players key to promotion and promotion is key to keeping them! Our next few results in the league are important as we need to be right up there all through January to give our better players no desire to leave. If offers start coming in it'll certainly tell us all where our ambition lies.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 18:14 - Dec 3 Won't happen in Jan. If we dont go up it may happen in summer
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:20 - Dec 3 A lot of people watched Terry and June once.
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CraigEdwards added 18:24 - Dec 3 Another feather in the all ready bulging hat. The academy is now more of a need as ever before. Its the back bone of the club's future whether they are sold or continue to learn there trade with ITFC. If they can keep the quality coaching and the massive talent I for one think it won't be long before the promised land will be in there grasp.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 18:46 - Dec 3 Speculation is always bound to happen, but we'd be mad to part with either of them now. Wolf is surely going to be PL quality, and Downes will be playing in the Championship at least. I hope it's with us, but if we don't go up, it will be harder to hold them back. Sad times when QPR and Fulham can even seem like a step up from our level.
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planetblue_2011 added 19:06 - Dec 3 They are our best two young players at the club we have to keep hold of them if we go up or stay in league one. Can't see how we won't go up though. QPR couldn't afford Judge so cant see them affording Woolfenden. Downes I could see going to Fulham or somewhere but not now...
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herfie added 21:02 - Dec 3 Inevitable that higher-level scouts travel far and wide, taking in shed loads of games in the hunt for the next gem, at a bargain price. It's the way of the soccer merry go round. True, also, that every player has his price. However, given the club's stated intention to regain C'ship status as quickly as possible, and given these lads' genuine quality and increasingly critical cogs in the machine, cannot believe ME/PL would allow them to leave - short of significantly silly money bids. Furthermore, with future higher level employment a certainty, would hazard a guess that neither QPR or Fulham would be first choice destinations. But, both will need to believe that a return to the C'ship remains club's top priority, and further investment may be necessary in Jan to improve the squad's quality.

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DifferentGravy added 21:51 - Dec 3 hands off!
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