RAY Harford was at Turf Moor on Saturday, with a possible target being Notts County's 23-year-old forward Paul Devlin.

And there are suggestions that the Blackburn Rovers boss is also looking towards Italy's Serie A as a source of potential transfer targets, with a shortage of available talent in England.

While continuing his efforts to strengthen his own squad, Harford looks set to shed one of his "spare" players - goalkeeper Frank Talia, who is wanted by Swindon.

With Rovers off duty on Saturday, Harford took the opportunity to run the rule over Second Division sides Burnley and County.

And he could well have been impressed by Devlin, who can play either through the middle, as he did at Turf Moor, or wide on the right.

A quick, strong player with an eye for goal, Devlin was on the transfer list and though he has since come off, his contract expires at the end of the season.

He was picked up by County from Stafford Rangers, playing a couple of matches there with Stan Collymore!

Other County players who could have interested Harford are central defender Shaun Murphy, last season's player of the year at Meadow Lane, and young midfielder Michael Simpson. Meanwhile, Swindon have stepped up their interest in Ewood keeper Talia who impressed in a loan spell at the County Ground earlier this season.

The Second Division leaders are believed to be ready to pay £125,000 for the Australian keeper, and that would give Rovers a slight profit on him.

They paid £115,000 for him just over three years ago.

If it goes through it could be a good career move for Talia. Bobby Mimms is the recognised number two behind Tim Flowers, with young Irish keeper Shay Given having established himself as third choice.

Rovers also have one or two young keepers making good progress.

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