A new defender is Joe Royle's next target after completing the signings of strikers Nicky Forster and Sam Parkin in the last couple of days. Royle has been after a new left-back for a year now but is still looking for a permanent left-sided defender.

Last season the Town manager had intended to employ Chris Makin at left-back but the former Sunderland man left Portman Road in pre-season, chasing Premiership cash at Bolton but after a trial ended up at Leicester City and then Derby County.

England U21 international Matt Richards has played most of his first team football at left-back but Royle would prefer to use him as a midfield player.

Last summer Arsenal youngster Justin Hoyte was on the verge of signing a year-long loan to add to Town's defensive options, while the Blues also enquired about the availability of Mauricio Taricco, then still a Tottenham player.

Before Christmas, Burnley defender Mo Camara was targeted but the Clarets were keen to keep hold of Drissa Diallo's best friend. A second attempt to sign the Guinean ended earlier this week when Camara signed at Celtic.

Arsenal have released former Town loanee Danny Karbassiyon, however he failed to impress with the Blues and would not be in Joe Royle's plans.

Royle brought in David Unsworth on loan for the latter three months of the season but it is unlikely the Blues would turn their attentions in his direction again except on a season-long loan - which would be allowed under the expected reforms to the Football League loan rules - or if Portsmouth were willing to settle the remaining year on his lucrative Premiership deal.

The Parkin deal is probably the first and last cash signing this summer, so the new left-back looks likely to be another free transfer.

The Town boss has made it clear that he will no longer be in the market for another goalkeeper, the new loan rules allowing for emergency replacements of keepers outside the transfer windows. Lewis Price will be handed the number one shirt, with Shane Supple his deputy.

Drissa Diallo's departure would suggest that Town may target a left-back who, like Unsworth, can also play at centre-half. Otherwise it seems that the Blues are happy to have youngsters Aidan Collins, Chris Casement and, once fit, Gerard Nash as back-up for Richard Naylor and Jason De Vos, although Fabian Wilnis has also played in the centre of defence on a number of occasions during his Town career.

Luton's Chris Coyne has been linked but the Australian defender has another year left on his contract and would cost money.

In midfield, Royle will be adding Dean McDonald, Jimmy Juan and Jaime Peters to the ranks in the next few weeks, while Irish youngster Owen Garvan, the linchpin of the FA Youth Cup-winning side, is likely to be considered a first team squad member this season. Town won't make any more midfield signings unless Jim Magilton turns down the offer of a new one-year contract.

The reforms to the loan rules, which are yet to be formally announced, are aimed at reducing the impact of the transfer windows which are introduced into the Football League for the first time in 2005/06. Town are once again likely to bring in short-term signings on a regular basis throughout the season.

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