Town and Bristol City are reported to be amongst a number of clubs eyeing Middlesbrough centre-half Stephen McManus. The 29-year-old turned down a loan move to the Blues in the summer of 2009 when a Celtic player.

McManus is currently out of the Middlesbrough first team — his last game was on December 3rd — with ex-Blues loanee Matthew Bates and Rhys Williams ahead of him in the pecking order.

Boro boss Tony Mowbray is keen to add to his squad during January but also expects players to move on: "We need to create some space in the budget to move things around. I have no problem with the people that are not impacting on the first XI moving on.”

Lanark-born McManus came through the youth ranks at Celtic, making his senior debut in the 2003/04 season.

He made 204 starts and three sub appearances for the Bhoys, scoring 20 goals, and captained the side before joining Boro initially on loan in January 2010, signing on permanently the following summer for £1.5 million.

He has made 56 starts and four sub appearances for the Teessiders, scoring twice. With Scotland, 6ft 2in tall McManus has won 26 caps, scoring two goals.

Town are very much in the market for a centre-half with a deal for Leicester’s Sean St Ledger having been put on hold last week.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

alfromcol added 15:42 - Jan 16 so many players have been targets over the last 2/3 years its difficult to find 'new' targets!!!
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nitroblue1970 added 15:45 - Jan 16 Clarkey85 If you think that Town cant get relegated this season you are utterly deluded. That useless bottom three includes Forest and Donkey Rovers, who between them have put NINE goals past us this season. Millwall are currently one place below us and put FOUR past us.There was and could only ever be one Bobby Robson, it doesn't matter how many times you post it either. So wipe you nose and get on with your homework.

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Ipswich24 added 15:53 - Jan 16 Again cant be great if cant get into boro's starting line up.
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irishtim added 16:12 - Jan 16 hopefully we will see a few decent signings in the next few days. we need them urgently
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BlueArmy12 added 16:34 - Jan 16 that would be a good signing a decent defender then sonko can learn from him and then we have a good partnership.
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oldtimer3 added 16:55 - Jan 16 i hope we sign him on a permanent contract not these loan deals that are a disruptive influence on the team and the club as a whole! why o why must we sign a reserve reading goalkeeper for 3 months and play him, he lets in 4 goals in two games why sign Richard Wright then if you havnt faith in Barrett who I believe would have saved at least two of the four goals conceded hence 4 points earned instead of one!

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Seasider added 17:06 - Jan 16 Little tip from 'Our Arry(Redknapp)speaking to Garth Crooks at weekend,when he goes to watch players,pops into local pub and listens to his targets fans.Says you can learn a lot from supporters who have followed club for many years.Sometimes he says he feels like turning round and going straight home! Made a serious point though that Managers should not be arrogant enough to think fans dont know what they are talking about as many do. Mr Jewell please note that fans can sometimes see the wood for trees!

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biggun added 17:11 - Jan 16 Same old, same old...
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slowerball added 17:36 - Jan 16 St Ledger is a donkey. Would prefer McManus to be honest.
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terry_butchers_twin added 18:42 - Jan 16 Seen that big Hermann has signed for Coventry today from Portsmouth, he must have been an option!!!!
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tractorboy2434 added 19:08 - Jan 16 Same old hot air about signings that never materialise, probably because we have'nt actually bid for them, I think all this is rubbish released to keep fans on board, especially as most of ours will settle for any old tripe, be surprised if we sign any of the names on here, just a couple of loans to beef the squad up, and for the joker who says we won't go down, just who has he been watching this season, all those below us have thumped us and could do again.

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Pettitt10 added 19:27 - Jan 16 would be a good signing. a good captain also when sonko has gone
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Lightningboy added 19:53 - Jan 16 What's happened to the two "signings" from Swindon then?...thought it was all pretty much signed and sealed according to yesterday's news! Where do these stories come from?!
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Crazee added 20:08 - Jan 16 I really hate to be cynical because truly I love this club and have done for almost 50 years - but I can't help feeling all this talk, leaks or whatever is just done to appease the natives! :(
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stinkiusminkius added 20:09 - Jan 16 Jas0999 - almost a positive comment until you added the 'but' which was totally irrelevant.
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Tractamatt added 20:17 - Jan 16 would be a good signing, I think he would put his all into the team unlike St Leger who I think might be solely out for himself,I might be wrong.
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manualthetisfanclub added 21:12 - Jan 16 Mcmanus didnt fancy it then and wont fancy 4th bottom club now!!!! move on from these useless so called targets,somebody younger and fresher,someone who likes to defend,stick there head in where it hurts.cant see st ledger or Mcmanus doing that for the cause!jog on pj
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casanovacrow added 23:03 - Jan 16 Town are still understood to be after Pompey defender Ben Haim according to vital football ..the key point there is according to vitalfootball
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casanovacrow added 23:05 - Jan 16 Tal Ben Haim I'm guessing, if they miss out half of his name it gets even more suspect lol
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bigfish added 23:29 - Jan 16 Good if we get him
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