St Mirren boss Danny Lennon says he knows nothing of Town’s reported interest in midfielder Kenny McLean. The Blues have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old central or left midfielder since January.
However, Lennon told STV he is unaware of any proposed move: "That’s a new one to me but Kenny is a quality player and when you’re doing things well at your football club then there will always be the temptation of bigger clubs coming in.
"As long as Kenny McLean is bringing his best on a daily and weekly basis for this football club, our club won’t stand in any player’s way.”
Lennon recently revealed that a pre-season friendly between the Buddies and Town is under discussion, which led to claims that the game could be part of a deal which would see McLean, who is contracted until the summer of 2014, join the Blues.
The St Mirren boss says he has spoken with his Town counterpart about the game, which, if it is confirmed, is likely to be one of two the Blues play in Scotland with the other opponents yet to be set: "That's one that's looking possible. I've spoken with Mick McCarthy at great length over the last year and he's a terrific guy.
"For them to bring such a quality side up here and for us to test ourselves, it would allow us to see how far we have progressed. More importantly, it would give us great preparation for a new campaign.”
Meanwhile, Town, Birmingham and Wolves are all reported to have made loan enquiries regarding Granada central defender Iñigo López during the January transfer window.
The out-of-contract Spaniard is now being linked with a summer move to Swansea, while clubs in Germany and Spain are also said to be interested in the 30-year-old.
Elsewhere, Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray says he doesn't plan to offer his old Town team-mate Kieron Dyer an extension to his stay on Teesside: "I don’t think so. I don’t think we’ll be prolonging it to next season.
"What I would say is that he’s been a delight to work with. Not just on the field, off the pitch he’s been fantastic; entertaining the players, bringing quizzes on the coach on a five-hour trip and being a good senior professional footballer for us, and it’s been good to work with him again.”
Dyer, 34, joined Boro having been released by QPR in January and made seven starts and two sub appearances, scoring twice.
In other Town-related Middlesbrough news, midfielder Grant Leadbitter, who left Portman Road for the Riverside last summer, has been voted their Fans' Player of the Year.