Sunday's tabloids are linking Town with summer moves for Liverpool pair Djimi Traore and Neil Mellor.

Town boss Joe Royle is known to be an admirer of 21-year-old striker Mellor, who spent an unsuccessful period on loan with the Blues' play-off opponents West Ham earlier this season.

Defender Traore, 24, is expected to make an Anfield exit sooner rather than later. The 6ft 3in Frenchman can play at left-back or at centre-half.

Town are unlikely to make any forays into the transfer market until it is clear which division they will be playing in next season.

Manager Royle is understood to have drawn up two lists of players depending on whether the Blues are in the Premiership or Division One for 2004/05.

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