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.