Boss Joe Royle says his trip to watch Ireland's U21s take on Sweden at Drogheda on Tuesday night was not to catch Bohemians frontman Stephen Ward in action as was reported in Ireland. The Town manager says that he was far more interested in the Swedish players in action.

Royle said: "Stephen Ward wasn't the reason for my Irish trip. Strikers are not the area we need to cover, not when everyone's fit. It was Swedish players I was looking at."

The Blues are more likely to be looking at centre-halves than any other area of the squad and if Royle was looking for a back-up for Jason De Vos and Richard Naylor, Swedish Town fans suggest that IFK Gothenburg central defender Karl Svensson may have been the target.

Svensson, 22 later this month, made his debut as a full international against Saudi Arabia in January and is considered one of Sweden's hottest prospects. Also a midfielder, Svensson previously played with Egna Hems BK and Jönköpings Södra IF.

Royle says he was asked about youngsters Owen Garvan and Shane Supple several times while he was in Ireland: "Everyone certainly knew of their form and Alan Lee's. People were asking about Alan, pleasantly delighted that he's come right back to form.

"I think all three are very much in consideration, probably Owen and Shane for the U21s. They were due to be away with the U19s this week along with Billy Clarke but we couldn't let any of them go."

Sir Bobby Robson, consultant to new Ireland manager Steve Staunton, watched the Blues in action against Leicester last weekend.

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