Hiberian manager and former Town coach and skipper Tony Mowbray says there has been no interest from the Blues regarding striker Derek Riordan. A report yesterday claimed that Riordan would be targeted by Town as a replacement for the departing Darren Bent.

Boss Joe Royle moved quickly to deny any interest in the Scottish international and Mowbray is confident that the Town manager will have no change of mind: "Joe has never picked the phone up and asked about any of our players.

"I know their scout has been at a few of our games because I know him personally and, having spoken to him after those matches, I think I would have known if any interest was there. I am pretty confident there is not."

Riordan, who has rejected extending his stay at Easter Road beyind the end of next season, has been strongly linked with a move to George Burley's Derby County.

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