HUDDERSFIELD TOWN are still talking to Plymouth Argyle over former loan midfielder Damien Johnson.

The Devon club, who are being linked with former Town loan striker Liam Dickinson, are desperate to settle the remaining year of the Irishman’s contract – opening the door for a Galpharm return.

Plymouth signed the former Northern Ireland player from Birmingham in February 2010, when they were still in the Championship.

Their drop into League I was followed by a descent into administration and a further relegation last season.

While a takeover bid is progressing, the League II salary cap means they will find it tough to cover the wages of the 32-year-old, who proved highly influential in 23 appearances for Town last season before being sidelined by a knee ligament injury.

But because the rest of the Football League is now operating a cap as well, it’s highly unlikely any club will take over Johnson’s current contract, leaving Argyle with an expensive problem.

There have been a series of talks between Town chief executive Nigel Clibbens and Peter Ridsdale, Plymouth’s acting chairman who is set to have a role under the future set-up.

On Johnson, Ridsale said: “I have started talks with his agent and we will continue to speak.

“We have got to get the wage bill to a level which we can afford. I would say we understand each other’s problems without having found a solution.”

Plymouth boss Peter Reid, a close friend of Town manager Lee Clark, has already begun a major overhaul of his squad by signing former Galpharm left-back Robbie Williams.

Now he’s interested in former Barnsley frontman Dickinson, who netted six goals in 13 games on loan to Town from Derby between August and November 2008.

The 25-year-old, who made his name at Stockport, is keen to get his career back on track after struggling to make his mark at Brighton and Barnsley.