BLUES boss Joe Royle has turned down the chance to sign Leeds United striker Ian Moore, who he targeted last summer.Royle is so delighted with new boy Alan Lee and the progress of his injured strikers that he declined an offer to take the former Burnley striker on a free transfer.

By Derek Davis

BLUES boss Joe Royle has turned down the chance to sign Leeds United striker Ian Moore, who he targeted last summer.

Royle is so delighted with new boy Alan Lee and the progress of his injured strikers that he declined an offer to take the former Burnley striker on a free transfer.

Although Leeds last night allowed striker Michael Ricketts to go out on loan to Burnley, they still have four strikers competing for two places, with Richard Cresswell, Rob Hulse, David Healy and Robbie Blake notching 35 goals between them so far this season.

Moore is way down the pecking order and is understood to have tried finding a new club.

Royle said: “We were offered Moore but we now have Alan Lee, who I'm more than happy with. We have got Adam Proudlock back in the squad after coming back from injury, we have young Danny Haynes and Dean McDonald eager to play and Sam Parkin is getting closer.”

After months of hard work in recovering from a broken ankle, Parkin is due to join in football training next week.

Proudlock has recovered from a jarred knee and is expected to start on the bench against Leeds United tonight.

McDonald is back in the 17-man squad, along with Kevin Horlock, who has been attracting interest from Barnsley, Millwall, Blackpool and Oldham but Town have had no firm offers to take him as yet.

Nicky Forster misses out again after a relapse on his sore knee and it has been decided to perform an exploratory operation after all and he is due to see the surgeon tomorrow.

Jimmy Juan is suspended after five booking and Gavin Williams misses out with a jarred knee, which would leave the door open for Jim Magilton and Owen Garvan to step into midfield, along with Matt Richards and Ian Westlake.