Town are set to sign Hearts central midfielder Ryan Stevenson on what's reported to be a three-year deal. News of the Blues' interest broke in Scotland overnight with a fee of £50,000 agreed for the 27-year-old, who we understand will be at the club today for talks and a look around.

Irvine-born Stevenson played youth football with Ayr United and Chelsea, staying in the same apartment block as John Terry when making regular trips south to train with the Premier League side.

In 2002 he moved on to St Johnstone where he made the breakthrough into first team football, before returning to Ayr United, initially on loan, in 2006.

The 5ft 11in tall midfielder, who can also play up front, moved to Hearts for an undisclosed fee in February 2010 and since then has made 47 starts and 20 sub appearances, scoring 11 goals. His contract is up at the end of June.

In December, after Hearts failed to pay their players’ wages, he asked for his contract to be terminated. This was refused but he told the club he wouldn’t play or train until he had been paid, citing stress on his unborn child amongst the reasons for his decision.

A Scotland call-up in November but without winning a cap, much-tattooed Stevenson was linked with Bristol City last month, while League Two Crawley had a bid rebuffed a week ago.

Stevenson, who would appear to be the type of player to replace Keith Andrews's goals in the Blues' midfield, is understood to have flown south to speak to the club this morning but it's unlikely that a deal will be completed until Monday. We understand Town made their offer to Hearts as recently as yesterday.

Meanwhile, Leicester boss Nigel Pearson says central defender Sean St Ledger is off the transfer list after breaking back into the Foxes side in recent weeks after a fall-out over Christmas: "He is fine and there is no rift. I am delighted with his performances. Is he off the transfer list? Yes, why not!"

Elsewhere, Town target Murray Wallace is interviewed in this morning's HeraldScotland. Town fans can catch Wallace in action for Falkirk against Celtic in the Communities League Cup semi-final on Sunday afternoon (2.55pm, BBC1 Scotland, Sky channel 971).

And in Ireland, ex-Blues midfielder Colin Healy is tipped to return to his old club Cork City, who are one of the clubs targeting Shane O'Connor. Both players recently had their Town contracts terminated by mutual consent.

Photo: Action Images

gilo1973 added 10:35 - Jan 28 get real people there is no money. Most people on this site think this club has man city funds. If cleggy did what you want there would be no club -just look at pompey
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AndyStannard added 10:37 - Jan 28 Must have really dug deep in his pocket to get that one!!!!
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walberswick added 10:45 - Jan 28 Perfect replacement for Heally.
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jas0999 added 10:50 - Jan 28 Speechless. We need a CB or possibly 2, a RB and a GK. So, PJ and Clegg bring us a CM - but not any CM, one who seems disruptive. Although I wish the guy luck, this smacks of Colin Healy all over again. Not good enough. Seems like panic. Absolute panic. Clegg and Jewell have clearly failed to land their other targets. Shocking. BRING IN CB'S and NOW! PJ OUT!
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IrvinGernonsShorts added 10:50 - Jan 28 Dozzells bobblehat, you're a buffoon
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PauloJulio added 10:51 - Jan 28 Surely we should be more worried that the St Ledger deal looks dead!
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DiamondGezzer added 10:54 - Jan 28 If he signs, I've got an idea. Why not watch him play and then slag him off. My guess is he will be better than Leadbetter. But I'm sure someone will still have a pop because of how much he is costing rather than his abilities
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riley26 added 10:55 - Jan 28 Can't please most fans...Of course we bloody need defenders, that doesn't mean we can't sign other players in other positions. Very cheap and could work out to be very good value. Also, 'Why are all our transfers so drawn out?'...
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bigolconnor added 10:57 - Jan 28 Cool. Looks quality. Yeah that's right...cooooool. Unfortunately he has tattoos on his neck and so is most likely a psychopath. Ummm...
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billlm added 10:57 - Jan 28 oldbri and leicestershire blue from previous page a pleasure for a change for uplifting positive comments like i feel my self well done so 50k isnt a lotbut its what he does on the pitch not how much he cost give the lad a chance you may not think much of scottish footie you lot but you dont get a call up for any international side if your not doing something right for your respective country

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Kuqicoo added 11:02 - Jan 28 I really am amazed at some of the moany comments on here. The guy hasn't signed yet and hasn't kicked a ball yet. And I think all areas of the team need attention. We go for younger players you moan, we go for old players you moan... And what the hell does the price matter? Would you rather we spend another few million on a complete donkey? I'm not happy where we are, and am as frustrated as anyone. But its clear PJ is trying to rectify things. I have my doubts ,It may be too late but for crying out loud stop whinging about everything and everyone. Good grief I despair at our supporters sometimes!

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walberswick added 11:03 - Jan 28 What does it say about the other 8 midfield players? Are they no good, or can't PJ do anything with them?
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billlm added 11:05 - Jan 28 walberswick i bet all other championship have 8 or more midfielders in there squads what ever status or age u lot just pick pick pick
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cornishnick added 11:05 - Jan 28 You get what you pay for. Colin Healy MK II
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Taricco_Fan added 11:09 - Jan 28 I've just been in touch with my mate in Edinburgh, who's a Hearts regular. To summarise, he said Stevenson is a hard worker, comfortable on the ball and can pick a pass. He's predominantly a centre-mid but has been used up front a fair bit and has got his share of goals. He's disappointed in his lack of loyalty over the unpaid wages, but then that's not our worry. All in all he thinks £50k is excellent business for Ipswich, and I completely agree. Obviously defenders are the priority, but our central midfielders have been below par this year and bringing in a regular SPL player, in his prime, who scores goals, for a such a small fee is very much worth the gamble.

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oldmanblues added 11:09 - Jan 28 There's a reason why Arsene Wenger never made any signings from the Scottish League and he said so himself,......but for 50k,...why the hell not!!!
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PauloJulio added 11:17 - Jan 28 Apparently David Weir is also signing for Ipswich on a three year deal even though he's 78 lol!
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riley26 added 11:21 - Jan 28 I bet the same people moaning on here would be complaining if another Championship club signed him...who knows how good he will be, but if he's rubbish it's no money out of your pocket so it doesn't really matter does it??? At the end of the day he is a man that kicks a football about, he could be good, he could be bad, stop looking for something to moan about and accept that the job is a tough one...jeez.

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blueherts added 11:24 - Jan 28 Some people on here make yer laugh , they laud it when we sign ex prem stars , but when they dont deliver , winge that we should be looking at lower leagues , just cos most havent heard of him they moan . This guy is a decent player , know afew Edinburgh boys who I texted and for 50k they are amazed we got him . I am sure the defenders will come - if not then I will be disappointed - but give him a chance . We are fighting relegation with a manager in the last chance saloon - we aint gonna attract 'big names' and even if , no guarantees -

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bluewein added 11:24 - Jan 28 Moaning about this signing not being a defender........ where's the artical saying "Ward, Pearce and Henderson deal dead"? Please engage brain before speaking in future people....
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Mark added 11:33 - Jan 28 Sounds a good signing to me, and remember that £50K is only two weeks of Keith Andrews' wages! Definitely worth a punt I'd say. People compare him to Colin Healy but he is 3 years younger and the SPL is a higher level that the Irish league. Give him a chance please! Also, how does spending £50K in any way mean we are less likely to bring defenders in? That argument doesn't make sense. If we spent £2M on a midfielder then, yes, I would complain about priorities.

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stewartwonderland added 11:33 - Jan 28 We need goals from midfield and with Andrews looking to sign for a premiership side now, this guy could be seen as his replacement. His goal scoring record looks good, so lets hope he turns out to be a bargain!
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Sindre94 added 11:34 - Jan 28 So typical, people slating him before hes kicked a ball for us. Hopefully a great signing
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 11:35 - Jan 28 IrvinGernonsShorts - any particular reason?
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Steelmonkey added 11:39 - Jan 28 Well said billlm, perhaps walberswick would like to take those two fingers of his and stick them where the sun don't shine. Absolutely fed up with the negativity on this site. You can't sign players that their clubs want to keep, unless really silly money is put on the table. If we do get any of the Portsmouth trio, it's division one for them, not taking into the thought of points being deducted for going into administration. Had a look at comments on their website last night, many think us signing them is inevitable. And with the money supposedly offered, it will only buy them three months grace at best untill the next tax bill comes in.

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