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

bluelady added 17:25 - Jan 28 Righty when you manage to leave a post that is literate and makes sense you may gain a little more credibility, as it is I have no idea what you are on about other than its never positive!
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Warkys_Tash added 17:47 - Jan 28 FFS, what is wrong with so called fans on here?? Yes, we all know we need defenders but we also need to strengthen the midfield, its weak and thats why teams are running through it to get at our back four! Maybe he can tackle, score goals and is box to box? Just because its a £50k deal, doesn't mean he is rubbish - the reasons for him being that price are stated. No-one on here knows much about him, we have had very good players from Scotland before lets hope he is too. Just because this deal looks to be coming in first, doesn't mean we won't get defenders. Jewell has afterall put bids in for defenders but the deals are more complicated than this one, so this is coming through first. Start moaning people after Tuesday if we get no defenders - until then give the manager and the club a break!!!

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stoofer added 18:04 - Jan 28 some people need to take a look at themselves, ok we know a defender is priority but, 1- he didnt cost much 2- wages will be low (unlike some of our ex prem under performing stars) 3- 27 years old so hopefully still life in his legs 4- at 5`11" brings a bit of height to the team lets give the lad a chance
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Warkys_Tash added 18:05 - Jan 28 And Walberwick You are one of the biggest culprits, always moaning, always negative - I have never seen you post anything positive on here - why do you bother? I bet you haven't paid to watch ITFC for years and from what I have read you know absolutely nothing about football. Jog on, I am fed up of you spreading so much negativity.
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ScottITFC14 added 18:37 - Jan 28 Some of you don't have a clue! You moan the signing isn't a defender but we already know we have a bid for two defenders being considered! As for Ryan Stevenson himself, a great signing at £50k. If it doesn't work out we would easily be able to move him on for more. If it does, it's a bargain. Having watched him play numerous times for Ayr United he has scored some great goals and isn't afraid to shoot. He's proven himself in the SPL and if you're still unsure have a look at the Scotland squad and tell me which one of their players wouldn't slot right into our team right now?!

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paulnstar added 18:41 - Jan 28 scottish premier league minus celtic rangers = blue square premier standard great signing i remember seeing totenhams youth team win 5 0 against hearts they looked quality all the hearts players did !!!!!!!!!
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TownOnTheUp added 18:42 - Jan 28 Can't go wrong for such a small fee. And in theory Clegg, Evans and Jewell can sort out more than one deal at a time, so no fear there... hopefully. But he's not signed yet, so fingers crossed we don't fall at the final hurdle.
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Bezzer added 19:04 - Jan 28 I thought defence was our priority! So far all we know is that Pearce a CB has been targeted! What about a RB and another CB? We also need a Winger or 2, GK and a Goal Scorer. Please let's not bring in another slow, one dimentional midfielder. If this guy was any good Rangers or Celtic would have him and he is 27 not 21 so not going to get any better either. I fear we have no real transfer funds (where is the Wickham money).

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Kuqicoo added 19:40 - Jan 28 Omg now 27 is too old! You are either trying to be funny and failing or incredibly stupid! And oh yes all Scottish footballers who are any good go to Celtic or rangers don't they! Never heard such daft comments. I put it down to complete ignorance...or you are about 8 years old!
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:49 - Jan 28 Bezzer we are trying to sign an CB a RB and GK from portsmouth and have agreed a fee for another CB from Falkirk. that sounds pretty much like defenders to me.
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FornhamBlue added 20:11 - Jan 28 Don't know much about this player, but you can't form any opinion until we've seen him play (if he signs). If, as it looks, we're going to be involved in a dogfight between now and the end of season, then we're going to need some 'in your face' type players. I think PJ and Keane before him have made some horrendous signings, and I can't stomach Clegg, his total incompetence,the way he patronising the fans and what he has done to OUR Club. However, The Club and fans need to stick together between now and the end of the season, we cannot afford to get relegated, and while some fans will get 5 minutes of satisifaction by saying 'I told you so' if we do, the long term consequences will be felt a lot longer than that. Scrap out the points boys - and ME ffs get some footballing nous back in the club over the summer.

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Vizslaraner added 20:16 - Jan 28 Yes, we need defenders we all know that but give the lad a chance. £ 50k is nothing and he could prove to be a right steal. He looks mobile, can head a ball, is comfortable on both feet and scores, something our tool of a capatin struggles with and he cost £ 2.6 million. Like Bleedingblue said, offer him to Steve Clothead and £ 500 k for Morgan - he rates him!!!!!

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BrettenhamBlue added 20:44 - Jan 28 We now have a replacement player for Andrews and all we get is negativity from the fans. I do know a reasonable amount about this player and its a shrewd signing by Jewell. Yes, he hasn't played a great deal of football recently but then its hardly his fault. Why should he just play for free? He is an attacking midfielder with the reputation of a defensive midfielder. He's a hard tackler who never gives up and is always shouting/motivating other members of his team. If you speak to Hearts fans about him (before Xmas that is) they would say he is a potential psychopath on the pitch. He throws in dodgy tackles occasionally but never gives up and the opposition know he's there. He's not going to let Leadbitter do his usual crab walks and he's likely to lose it as much with our own lads as the opposition. This is exactly the kind of player we need NOW (to fight in the battle of our lives against the drop) and the kind of player we need next season (to bring some backbone to our midfield). For 50,000, an absolute bargain. Well done PJ (he will score the odd goal for us too, but don't expect him to be as good as Andrews on that).

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BrettenhamBlue added 20:53 - Jan 28 I should say shrewd "potential" signing by Jewell. Amazingly there is this much negativity and he hasn't signed up yet or even worn the shirt!
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runaround added 21:24 - Jan 28 Sounds very cheap at £50k when compared to what Leadbelly cost. I know we need strengthening at centre half, right back and keeper but as we all know we have bids pending on 4 players for those needed positions. If we had no chance in getting the Pompey trio then i'm sure we would have moved onto other potential targets, if not then the 3 "wise men" at the helm of our club will have truly messed up again, come Wednesday morning all will be revealed. Good luck Ryan if you sign

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Dissboyitfc added 22:32 - Jan 28 this guy might well be an additional bonus to our team and a bargain, but i do not get the impression this guy will save our season. my comments are born out of sheer frustration, the defensive problems have not just happened they have been obvious now a season and longer, how many seasons have we been without a recognised rb? .... nothing wrong with passion and expressing your disapointment when things are at the lowest they have been for many seasons... perhaps if we drop into league 2 then some of you will realise just how bad this situation is... i want to be wrong on this, but i dont see us getting in the players we desperately require... coyb

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