SHEFKI Kuqi is not high on Jim Magilton's list but the Blues are considering swooping for Birmingham City striker Gary McSheffrey.

Derek Davis

SHEFKI Kuqi is not high on Jim Magilton's list but the Blues are considering swooping for Birmingham City striker Gary McSheffrey, writes Derek Davis.

Although the club is determined not to comment on any transfer talk, sources at Portman Road last night insisted Kuqi's visit to the area over the weekend was purely coincidental and Magilton was not looking to bring back the Finn for a third time.

It is more likely that Kuqi will be lining up against Town on Saturday at Selhurst Park with the big forward back in favour with Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock and the Eagles fans.

Although his contract runs out at the end of the season - and at around �12,000 a week he is understood to be Palace's highest-paid player - his goals have proved useful and with nine so far this season, Warnock is reluctant to now lose him as they make a bid to reach the top six.

Palace have another former Town forward on their books, Alan Lee, who is making his mark after being injured in the early days after joining Palace from Town last August.

They also have a third ex-Blues star in James Scowcroft but he is out of favour at the moment.

That has not stopped Warnock from admitting he is after yet another front man with McSheffrey a named target.

However, Town and Coventry City are also thought to be interested in landing McSheffrey, who has recently returned from a long-term injury.

The former Sky Blues player is understood to be keen on returning to his old club now that he is fit but Warnock is looking to entice him to London, while Town are in the hunt for a left-sided winger who can also play up front.

Palace take on Leicester City in an FA Cup third-round replay tomorrow night in a game that was put back a day in order to get the Selhurst Park pitch fit.

Any hopes Town had of re-signing Hermann Hreidarsson have been dashed with the Portsmouth defender set to join Reading.