Spurs defender Dean Richards and Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing were two of the players on Joe Royle's loans target list earlier in the season. Lack of fitness prevented Richards making a move, while Downing has progressed to the fringes of the England squad since August.

Royle says that he looked at bringing in Richards when Jason De Vos appeared likely to miss out due to injury, however, the former Southampton and Wolves man had a knock of his own: "He had picked up a slight injury and wasn't available, but I would probably reconsider him if we had problems at the back."

Downing, who spent time on loan at Sunderland last season, was another player on Royle's list at the beginning of the season but the Town manager has probably scratched his name out after his blistering start to the campaign: "He is now more likely to be called into Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad than come here."

Town continue to monitor a number of potential targets, although no moves are expected in the immediate future unless one of the senior members of the squad suffers an injury.

TWTD understands that Charlton's Bryan Hughes may also have been a loan target earlier in the season. The former Wrexham player has made only three starts for the Addicks since joining them from Birmingham City in the summer.

Hughes was previously linked with a permanent move to the Blues during 2000/01.

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