"Middlesbrough have asked about him and I imagine we will hear more during the morning."
The transfer windows closure, which was originally scheduled for last night at midnight, has been extended by the Premier League until 5pm this afternoon, giving plenty of extra time for clubs to negoiatate terms with agents, players and clubs.
Speaking of possible replacements, Royle continued : "I have asked about a couple of players but that is as far as it has gone at the moment.
"There is no real rush to bring someone in now as we have nearly two weeks before our next game but I would like to get something sorted as soon as we can."
It's likely that Peter Reid will only make a move for Bent if his offer to loan West Brom's Jason Roberts,who also has recieved an offer from Wigan, is turned down.