Boss Jim Magilton has confirmed that Town representatives have watched Hibs right-back Steven Whittaker in action on a number of occasions this season. Chief scout Steve McCall was reported to have been keeping an eye on the 22-year-old at the weekend.

Magilton said: “We have watched Whittaker quite a few times and I like him a lot. I have also spoken to both Mogga and Veno about him and they only have good things to say about him."

However, new Hibs manager John Collins, who took over from the former Town central defensive pair at Easter Road earlier in the season, is keen to hold onto his promising young players and, with a contract until 2011, Whittaker would command a fee in excess of £1 million. If Town firm up their interest in the Scottish B and U21 international they are likely to be faced with competition from a number of other clubs.

Meanwhile, Magilton is allowing defender Ian Miller to extend his loan at Boston United for a further month. The former Bury Town man's impressive performances during his time at York Street have attracted the interest of a number of big clubs, but the 22-year-old is very much in Magilton's plans for the future with the loan spell purely aimed at gaining the centre-half league experience.

The Town boss has also confirmed interest from Falkirk in youngsters Darryl Knights and Sammy Moore. Knights is expected to join the SPL side on loan in January with just the formalities left to be completed, but Moore was not keen on a move north of the border.

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