Boss Jim Magilton has reiterated his interest in Hibernian central defender Rob Jones. The Town manager first expressed his admiration for the 6ft 7in tall former Grimsby man back in September after he watched him action against Celtic.

Magilton says the 28-year-old remains well up his list of January targets: “Rob Jones is one of quite a few we are looking at. Every time I have seen him play I have been impressed with him.

“We are looking at a number of players and he is one that falls into that category. We have made a few discreet enquiries about players but nothing concrete. No strong dialogue, just checking out availability, no more than that.”

Jones started his career with non-league Gateshead and was working as a PE teacher before moving on to Stockport County for £5,000 in 2003, a spell which saw him spend time on loan at Macclesfield.

In July 2004 a free move to Grimsby followed, during which time Jones made 64 starts and four sub appearances, netting five goals.

Former Town skipper and coach Tony Mowbray was clearly impressed by Jones's spell with the Mariners and in June 2006 he brought him to Easter Road for an undisclosed fee, the Stockton-born player signing a four-year deal.

Jones was made skipper at Hibs in January and lifted the Scottish League Cup after his side defeated Kilmarnock in the final in March, having notched the opening goal.

In the summer, it looked like Jones might leave Easter Road for Leeds United after Hibs failed to keep to an agreement regarding an improved contract made during Mowbray's time as manager. Leeds reportedly had bids of £400,000 and then £600,000 turned down. Jones also denied reports that his family had failed to settle in Scotland.

It may be no coincidence that the Blues played Tony Mowbray's West Brom a week before Magilton made his trip to Scotland to watch Jones in action.

The Town manager says he is yet to see Longford Town striker Dave Mooney in action, although he is aware of his goalscoring in the League of Ireland this season. Claims of Blues interest in the 23-year-old appeared to originate from a report in Ireland which said Town were sending a scout to last week's U23 international in which Mooney played.

The emergency loan window closes at 5pm today with Dean Bowditch the player most likely to make a move away from Portman Road. Brentford and Yeovil Town are amongst those interested.

Town will not be allowing Jordan Rhodes to make another loan switch with a number of important U18 games over the next few weeks, including the FA Youth Cup third round tie with QPR.

Magilton has also commented on Leeds' interest in Sammy Moore. The Town boss doesn't expect the switch to happen despite the midfielder's family being keen on the move. Moore is on loan at Brentford until January.

Elsewhere, former Town striker Darryl Knights has extended his loan from Yeovil to Cambridge United for a further month.

Meanwhile, England manager Steve McClaren has had his contract terminated by the FA.

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