Town, Coventry City and Hull City are reported to be interested in signing Derby County central defender Dean Leacock during the close season. The 23-year-old has a year remaining on his deal at Pride Park.

Leacock, who can also play at right-back and as a defensive midfielder, started his career with Fulham's youth system but made only 12 starts and one sub appearance while a Cottager, spending two spells out on loan at Coventry City.

In August 2006 the Thornton Heath-born former England U19 international joined Derby for £375,000 and was a regular in the side which won promotion to the Premier League in 2006/07. Last season the 6 ft 2 1⁄2 in tall defender made 28 appearances as the Rams crashed out of the top flight, often as a holding midfielder.

Leacock looks likely to be one of a significant number of players leaving the Rams this summer as Paul Jewell tries to raise cash in order to rebuild his squad after relegation.

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