Town central defender Gareth McAuley is being targeted by Middlesbrough and Sheffield United, according to conflicting reports this evening. One national newspaper claims the Northern Irishman is on the verge of joining Boro on loan, while another says the Blades are set to make a move.

McAuley, recently replaced as captain by Alex Bruce shortly after boss Roy Keane denied reports of a bust-up, was understood to be the subject of a £1 million offer from Middlesbrough, who Town face on Saturday, close to the end of the transfer window.

The Blades are said to see McAuley as a replacement for Matthew Kilgallon, who is expected to leave Bramall Lane in the near future.

Town targeted Sheffield Wednesday’s Richard Wood during the transfer window and it’s unlikely that manager Roy Keane would allow McAuley to leave unless the Blues had secured another experienced central defender. The 29-year-old is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2011.

From Tuesday of this week, Football League clubs were able to loan players from other English sides for up to 93 days.

Photo: Action Images

fourpee added 00:20 - Sep 10 still think given time he will come good!! don't let me go royyyy!!!
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KSP added 00:29 - Sep 10 Some of the McAuley bashers won't be happy with this. How will they make excuses for the 2 best teams in the league wanting to sign him. Actually knowing their football knowledge i'm sure they will make something up. Gareth's a quality centre back and i very highly doubt will be moved on without a replacement. Also who exactly is Kilgallon supposed to be going too? I'm pretty sure utd won't let him go, well not for the price any champ side could afford?

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adamisablue added 01:40 - Sep 10 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/8231777.stm look! lisen! and dont take a page take the book! this is what we need to do to start winning games! stop moaning and support the team!
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The_Realist_09 added 07:06 - Sep 10 Mcawful needs to go. I think it is great that these teams are interested in him because they will pay the most for him come the end of the season. They are getting tricked into thinking he is good, just like we did!
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Cr0wman added 07:15 - Sep 10 Exellent video ADAMISABLUE . This is exactly what our part in our club should be. Getting behind the boys, not getting on their backs. This should be compulsory viewing for all people who go to matches and moan.
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robbo123 added 08:44 - Sep 10 KSP i completely agree with you! how is everyone forgetting that for the second half of last season he was our stand out player! I agree that he shouldn't have been given the captaincy and that probably contributed to his nervous start as he doesn't appear to be a leader on the pitch but he is a quality centre half (MOM against Poland!) who like KSP says is wanted by two sides who have a much better chance than us at the moment of playing premier league football next season!

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Country_Boy added 09:01 - Sep 10 It was the Daily Mail that said McAuley would join Middlesbrough!!!! Where's the shame in admitting it???
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ldnj added 09:04 - Sep 10 Also interesting that Kitson said it's "all about encouragement" form the management, some players need nurturing and it's in everyone's interest to have players doing well. Comes back to man management. Given what's happened so far this year I'm not sure the manager is good at that side of management. I hope I'm wrong ...
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PimsNumber1 added 09:11 - Sep 10 mC AULEY IS A GOOD PLAYER. Yes he was poor for about 6 games when he first arrived but after that was excellent and very committed. Maybe he has fallen out with keane which is a shame. The fact that sheff utd and Boro are linked means he must be decent. Kilgallon was interesting a couple of PL teams but they were quoted 5 mill so nothing happened. Maybe they are back with a close bid. That makes Mc A a bargain for 1 mill . Southgate has a load of cash in the coffers after huth and maybe wheater going soon What the hell do supporters think we can get in to replace MC A for our 1 mill ?? Wood maybe , but is he better ? Then who else ? I would like him to stay. He is worth more than 1 mill and if he isnt then please tell me who we can get in to replace him for what you think he is worth .

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tractormc added 09:14 - Sep 10 I liked the sound of McCauley when he signed for us but to be honest im not sure it has worked out all that well. I think he was a direct replacement for De Vos and i know people will disagree but i think he is half the player of JDV. He improved as the season went on last year to be fair to him so maybe we should give him till the summer but for a centre back he paid 1.2 or something for i dont think he is good enough at the moment. He isn't strong enough in a tackle for my liking and has little passing ability. See what kinda centre backs are avaliable and assess the McCauley situation at the end of the season. If they offer enough money though.. i would sell up.

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evansblue added 09:46 - Sep 10 McCauley was 2nd in the Supporters player of the year last season if I recall. He is a great centre back and without the shackles of being captain will be even better. I cannot believe some people. Admittedly he struggled at the start of this season but against Preston was superb. McCauley and Bruce at Centre back every day for me. Pim is nowhere near being ready I am afraid.

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bigfish added 10:20 - Sep 10 As a true ITFC fan can i make the comment - he is an ipswich player if you are a fan get behind all our players and stop taking them down, if the players read these comments then no wonder they don't play for the fans. We all have good and bad days and no one is perfect. Stop moaning and get behind the team !!!!!
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JayITFC added 10:36 - Sep 10 Why would be we looking to loan any CB out on loan? We're thin enough on quality there as it is. Pim & Smith are still kids at this level, they need time to develop. Bruce & McAuley has to be the pairing.
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BoxerBlue added 11:08 - Sep 10 Any1 see his last ditch tackle against Preston ??? Phenominal
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dobbie73 added 11:19 - Sep 10 If the Big G is being targetted by two of the best sides in the division, surely that says a lot for his ability?! Now that he is no longer captain, I feel he will settle and improve dramatically, and Keano can get the best out of him. As long as the serial moaners and whingers keep off his back of course ....
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HateDerekDavis added 12:33 - Sep 10 I know that he improved as last season went on but I've never seen more to McAuley than an average header and hoofer of the ball. You might get the odd great tackle out of him, but so you should, that is his job. Part of his job is also distribution, and was captaincy, both of which have been woeful. If he was our 'stand-out' player, it doesn't say much for the rest of the team! I don't rate him, but I don't think he's a complete donkey either and it would be crazy to let him go without getting someone better (and provenly so) in first. Someone who will also help to nurture Bruce, Balkestein and Smith because from what we see on the pitch, Gareth doesn't have what it takes in that area either.

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MAVERICK added 12:37 - Sep 10 I have a plan ! Lets keep the players, and get rid of the fans (moaners & whingers)
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8ashblue added 12:44 - Sep 10
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8ashblue added 12:45 - Sep 10 He's clearly fallen out with Keano so good luck to him. Are we about to see Delany in centre with Bruce!
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danknott added 13:37 - Sep 10 bye Gareth thanks for your services!
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GeorgiDoundarov added 13:41 - Sep 10 Well these news are fishy to me... We are not going to send McAuley on loan - the only way for Boro and Sheff Utd to get him would be just buying him but they should wait till January then. It is just not the right time for rumour like this to be true... As of my opinion - I still think we should keep him. He is international winning caps and playing against top players. We need players like him on our squad. I'd rather get rid of Quinn - something that I am waiting to happen since he came at PR...

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danknott added 13:43 - Sep 10 McAuley has fallen out with Keano....FACT!! get over it mate! i trust him to bring appropriate bodies in!!!
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streety86 added 13:45 - Sep 10 Starting to get wound up with people saying that somones not supporting the team when they're giving players stick. Calling gareth mcawful is unnecessary but he has been dissapointing this season. As an international player we should expect more considering the wages he is earning too. As paying fans (for those who go) we have the right to voice opinions if a player is below par. You don't become a bad player over night but mcauley hasn't performed. I'm sure if I did my job poorly I'd be entitled to critisism!!! Would like to see gareth turn things round, we'll wait and see.....

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danknott added 13:53 - Sep 10 streety86......every fan is entitled to their opinion! have you just become a football fan....critisism is all part and parcel of football, i dont agree with most of it but thats the fans opinions and they are allowed that view! stop telling people what they can and cant say!!! i feel gareth has been shocking ever since he joined us...but guess what that is my opinion and im allowed that opinion!!

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streety86 added 14:07 - Sep 10 I understand people have opinions danknott, maybe I didn't put my point across properly, it's the people who are kicking off because players are getting stick from fans
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