Club chairman David Sheepshanks says Town may consider a second share issue later in the season to help Joe Royle strengthen his squad. Earlier this year the Blues raised £1.75 million through a public offer of shares which was earmarked to be used as working capital.

Sheepshanks told the club site that there may be a further attempt to raise cash but this time to help the manager build a promotion-winning squad: "If we are high in the table later in the season, say at the midway point, then maybe that would be the moment to consider it seriously.

"But we have to judge it; where we are, where we perceive the market place is, what the mood of the fans is and what the opportunities for strengthening the squad are. All of these things.

"It's a cash call though and that means everyone has got to dig in their pockets again and we don't want to go on asking fans to dig in their pockets if we don't have to."

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