Boss Jim Magilton says Derby's play-off final against West Brom on Monday could have a bearing on whether the Blues are successful in capturing Franny Jeffers from Blackburn on a permanent deal. Town have already had a £350,000 bid turned down by Rovers.

Magilton said: “Blackburn want to wait until after the play-off final before making a decision on whose bid they want to accept.

”We have made an offer but it may be that we have to up that now. Whatever happens John Williams, the Rovers chairman, has promised that we will be kept informed.

Derby's interest in Jeffers was first reported after the former England man's excellent performance and goal in Town's 2-1 victory over the Rams at Portman Road in April. Were they to beat West Brom on Monday, Billy Davies's side would certainly be able to outbid the Blues for the ex-Everton, Arsenal and Charlton man.

Jeffers has once again told Magilton that he is keen to join the Blues and is currently on holiday with members of the Town squad, however, Premiership football may be hard to turn down. That said, the 26-year-old might not be keen on a move to the Premiership if it meant yet another season on the fringes of a squad playing few games like his recent years with Blackburn, Charlton, Arsenal and his loan period back at Everton.

Meanwhile, former Town European scout Simon Hunt has left George Burley's Southampton to join Tony Mowbray's coaching staff at West Brom. Burley has recruited John Gorman to his staff, the pair having previously worked together at Portman Road.

Several former (and some present) Town players are in play-off action this weekend. Marcus Stewart and loanees Martin Brittain and Darryl Knights are with Yeovil for their League One game with Blackpool, while Derby include Darren Currie, Jay McEveley and Jon Macken in their squad for their game with Tony Mowbray and Mark Venus's West Brom.

Striker Knights, expected to be released by the Blues this summer with his contract at an end, has been offered a permanent deal by the Glovers.

Elsewhere, former Blue Danny Sonner has turned down a new deal with Port Vale and has rejoined Walsall. Ex-Town trialist Joe Francis is close to leaving Woodbridge Town to join King's Lynn.

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