Rumour Mill-Still Being Linked with Montgomery?

Is Eddie Howe interested in bringing another 30 year old midfielder with captain's experience to Turf Moor? A player with those credentials came on board only yesterday when Brian Stock agreed a two year deal and signed from Doncaster Rovers.

So do we now take with a pinch of salt the continuing speculation that we are also still in the market for Sheffield United's Nick Montgomery?

According to the tabloids this week,including today's Sundays, Burnley are one of a number of Championship clubs looking to sign the defensive midfielder. It would appear that Blackpool and Ian Holloway are the latest to show interest joining Burnley, Huddersfield, Leeds and Millwall.Montgomery still has one year on his contract remaining at Bramall Lane and the club have said they are prepared to release him. The Leeds-born player has spent his entire professional career playing for the Blades but recently has found opportunities limited and last season he spent a period out on loan to Millwall before injury struck and he had to return to Bramall Lane. He was signed in March 2012 until the end of the season but managed to make just two appearances for the Lions before succombing to a sustained calf problem.

It is thought Sheffield United would accept a transfer fee in the region of £500,000 for their former captain. Huddersfield and Leeds could be the frontrunners to sign the player. Montgomery is a lifelong Leeds fan and former boss, Simon Grayson tried to sign him for Leeds last summer. Grayson, now at Huddersfield is again showing interest and Montgomery might be tempted to become a Terrier! Both clubs too of course are close to the city of Sheffield so there would be minimal disruption to his personal life.

If the rumours are true that we have an interest in Montgomery, and it's not the first time we have been linked with him, I suspect this may have been a contingency had we failed to sign Stock. They are similar in terms of age, experience and of course are both midfielders. Would we seriously want both players? We are a little light still in the centre of midfield but we do now have Bartley (when fit), McCann, Marney and Stock as well as some young gun options so adding Montgomery may well be seen by some as overkill. On balance, I can't see Montgomery wearing Claret & Blue very shortly!

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