Boss Jim Magilton says he hopes defender Alex Bruce changes his mind and decides to accept the Blues' offer of a new two-year deal. The Irish international, whose current terms are up at the end of the season, turned down the new contract earlier this week.

Magilton told the club site: "The club have offered Alex a good deal and I hope he stays here. He's obviously part of our plans here, otherwise we wouldn't be offering him another two years and I want him at this football club.

"I know he's turned down the club's offer of a new contract and I hope that situation changes. We will see what happens.

"He has played football matches here since I brought him to the club three years ago and he will continue to play games, whatever the situation with his contract."

Town are currently short on central defenders with Richard Naylor having joined Leeds on a month's loan and Iván Campo (calf) and Tommy Smith (ankle) sidelined.

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