Town Would Consider Offers for Trio
Friday, 5th Dec 2008 10:21

Boss Jim Magilton has reiterated that he will consider offers for central defender Alex Bruce if the club receives any interest in January, and has also not ruled out exits for club captain Richard Naylor and midfielder Tommy Miller, like Bruce out of contract next summer.

Town and Bruce's agent have been discussing a new deal since last summer , but as yet no agreement has been reached.

With no new terms in place, Bruce would be allowed to start talking to clubs about a summer free Bosman move in January, a situation Town would be keen to avoid, making move next month more likely.

Magilton says Bruce has nothing to prove to him but that offers will be considered with a central defensive addition expected when the transfer window opens: "If we do get any interest in Alex then we will think about it next month, the same as we would for any other player that we get enquiries about.

"The person we want to bring in next month is someone who would go straight into the first team and become a regular, which would allow improving young defenders like Pim Balkestein to go out on loan.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Naylor and Miller are in the same position as Bruce and Magilton says he will also take seriously any offers the club receive for them.

Former Drogheda centre-half Graham Gartland looks like a strong possibility to come into the squad during January, while there could be a second new addition, particularly if both Bruce and Naylor depart, with youngster Tommy Smith still out of action with his broken ankle.

Various other defenders have been linked with the Blues in recent weeks, including Celtic's Darren O'Dea, West Brom's Carl Hoefkens and former Blue Hermann Hreidarsson, now with Portsmouth, but Town have denied the stories.

Photo: Action Images

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.