Town are keeping an eye on prolific Scunthorpe United striker Gary Hooper, according to one of this morning's national newspapers. The Blues and a number of other Championship sides were reportedly represented at the Iron's 2-1 victory over Stockport on Saturday.

Hooper, 21, began his career with Grays Athletic, making his debut as a 16-year-old, and helped them into the Conference in 2005 and to the FA Trophy in the same season. The following year he was an unused sub as the Essex side won the competition for the second year running.

The Loughton-born frontman moved on to Southend in the summer of 2006 on a Bosman but never really made his mark at Roots Hall, scoring just four goals in 17 starts and 27 sub appearances.

While with the Shrimpers, Hooper, 5ft 9in tall, joined Leyton Orient and then Hereford United on loan. A month with the O's yielded two goals in two starts and two sub appearances, but his three-month spell with Hereford was even more impressive. Hooper netted 11 times in 19 games between January and April to help his temporary side to promotion to League One.

A £175,000 move to Scunthorpe followed in the summer of 2008 and up to now it has been a great success with 40 starts and one sub appearances bringing 25 goals.

While Hooper is almost certainly the type of lower league player the Blues and other Championship sides will be watching, Town have previously been spotted at a number of Stockport games this season.

Goalkeeper Owain Fôn Williams and defender Jimmy McNulty, who joined Brighton in January, were both claimed to be the reason for Town's interest in the Hatters.

The Blues' could also have been at Glanford Park at the weekend to take a look at Liam Trotter, who is currently on loan with Scunthorpe. However, the midfielder was only used as a sub in the closing minutes.

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