TWTD understands that the Blues have offered terms to out-of-contract Luton Town left winger or left-back Jake Howells. Town have been keeping an eye on the 21-year-old since the 2010/11 season and were spotted watching him in action in January when they were believed to have made an enquiry regarding the Wales U21 international.

After a spell as a youngster at Watford, Hemel Hempstead-born Howells progressed through the ranks at Kenilworth Road. He has made 133 starts and 39 sub appearances, scoring 14 goals, since making his Hatters first team bow in May 2008.

In addition to four Wales U21 caps, 5ft 9in tall Howells previously made four England C (non-league national side) appearances, scoring one goal.

Luton have held talks with Howells regarding a new deal and other clubs may also have firmed up their interest, Charlton and Peterborough previously having been linked. Despite Howells being out of contract, the Hatters are entitled to compensation as he is under 24 years of age.

Howells's Wales U21s team-mate Elliott Hewitt is due at Town for the first time on Wednesday as he continues his rehabilitation from the hip operations he underwent while with Macclesfield.

Hewitt admitted to a touch of first day nerves in a tweet but says he is looking forward to it: "First day at the new place tomorrow, very nervous but can't wait to get going."

Meanwhile, we understand Town are amongst a number of Championship sides interested in out-of-favour Southampton winger Jason Puncheon.

The 26-year-old’s former loan side Blackpool and Charlton are also believed to be amongst the much-travelled former MK Dons, Plymouth, Millwall (loan), QPR (loan) and Barnet man’s suitors.

Winger Michael Jacobs, whose move from Northampton to Derby was confirmed earlier today, has said that terms were offered by two other clubs, neither of them Town, who were reportedly one of a host of sides chasing the 20-year-old: "I had offers from Charlton and Peterborough as well but as soon as I came to have a look around the facilities at Derby, I knew this was the place for me.”

The Blues are also thought to have been amongst various Championship clubs to have been monitoring Jason Roberts’s situation at Reading earlier in the summer, however, the 34-year-old, a key man in Paul Jewell’s Wigan side, is expected to sign a contract extension with the newly-promoted Royals.

Elsewhere, former Town keeper Shane Supple has dismissed rumours that he’ll be joining the Blues for sessions during pre-season training, although told TWTD he will be in Ipswich later in the summer: “I’ll be about, but I won’t be training.”

Supple now plays Gaelic football having retired from association football in August 2009 at the age of 22.

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