Town manager Joe Royle has admitted that he could lose more players before the beginning of the season. Last month skipper Matt Holland joined Charlton for £750,000.

Royle says he doesn't know whether his squad will remain intact by August: "It's impossible to say — but we still have to get our wage bill in order, that's for sure.

"You can never really tell what is going to happen, but there is always a need to bring in money. It's just that the need is not as urgent now as it was a few weeks ago."

The weekend report linking Sheffield Wednesday's Shefki Kuqi with the Blues has spread like wildfire today, despite Royle's denial that he is interested in the Finn.

It appears that Royle made an enquiry regarding the former Stockport striker but is not taking the matter any further. However, should one or two of his strikers depart then Kuqi could again become part of Royle's plans.

Kuqi was first mentioned in connection with Town at the end of last year when Royle was after a loan striker.

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