Town will make a third offer for Leicester City defender Gareth McAuley today, according to reports in Northern Ireland. The Foxes are understood to want £1.5 million for the former Lincoln City man.

The Blues' second bid, which was turned down earlier this week, was is believed to have hit £600,000. Yesterday, Leicester seemed to rule out the Northern Irish international leaving the Walkers Stadium, but Jim Magilton seems determined to see the 28-year-old at the heart of his defence: “We would like someone like Gareth in. There will be movement on the last day, if not him then someone like him.”

Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric says he isn't considering offers for any of his first team players: "We have had a lot of aggressive approaches for some of our players.

"We are turning everything down for the simple reason we are establishing a team with quality players to get out of this division. Any player that will help us will stay with us."

Meanwhile, reports in Wales claim Cardiff have turned down bids from the Blues and Leicester for midfielder Paul Parry. The Welsh international was linked with Town earlier in the month, but the player himself said he wanted to remain with the Bluebirds.

Elsewhere, another potential Town central defensive target, Birmingham's Martin Taylor, has been the subject of a £1 million bid from Coventry. The Premier League side have turned the offer down.

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