Town manager Joe Royle has ruled out signing two reported targets, Everton striker Duncan Ferguson and Charlton midfielder Graham Stuart. The transfer window rumour mill seems to have really got started today, with a report also claiming Bolton are interested in Shefki Kuqi.

Ferguson, a loan target of Town last season, was linked with the Blues in the national press over Christmas but Royle says he is not interested: "We won't be going after Duncan."

The Town boss says the Blues will also not be in the running for the signature of Graham Stuart, who has been told he can leave Charlton. Royle said earlier in the season that had the club agreed to let Darren Bent join the Addicks in August, he would have asked for Stuart as part of the deal.

Bent is likely to be the subject of most speculation during the transfer window and Royle admits he has had informal enquiries about his availability. Norwich City were one of those clubs but manager Nigel Worthington said over the weekend that he has given up on the idea of signing Bent or Crewe's Dean Ashton.

Ashton has also been linked with Town but Royle says his £3 million price tag puts him out of reach. The Blues' boss has previously said that Ashton would have been his number one target had Bent been sold in August.

Royle has also ruled out making an approach for released Bolton striker Les Ferdinand.

The Trotters themselves are reported to be looked at Town striker Shefki Kuqi. According to a report they may look to him should they fail to sign Dynamo Moscow striker Dmitri Bulykin.

Kuqi's contract is up at the end of the season but the Blues would certainly demand a fee for their top-scoring striker, something which may beyond Wanderers, despite their Premiership status.

Recent reports indicated that Sam Allardyce would not have a budget for anything other than loan signings as he seeks to strengthen during the transfer window.

Royle is still looking to add at least one player to add to his squad, having made enquiries regarding two unnamed players recently.

As previously reported, Town will have Monaco midfielder Jimmy Juan and 21-year-old Paraguayan central defender Angel Martinez on trial from Thursday.

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