Hearts have emerged as contenders to sign former Blues skipper Gareth McAuley, who is also interesting Town, Rangers and Aberdeen.

The 38-year-old central defender is a free agent having left West Brom at the end of last season. EFL clubs have until 5pm today to sign loanees, while the Scottish transfer window closes at midnight.

Austin MacPhee, assistant coach at Tynecastle, who is currently in temporary charge of the Scottish Premiership side with manager Craig Levein having been taken ill earlier in the week, confirmed that talks have taken place.

“Gareth McAuley is a player I know really well,” he told The Scotsman. “I’ve worked with him for five years [as assistant coach of Northern Ireland] and I have huge respect for him.

“He still trains every day. All his GPS info is right up there and his stats defy his age - maybe because he came into football a bit later.

“But I don’t know if Gareth will become a Hearts player. He is a player both myself and the manager like but it depends on a few things with the budget and with what we need that centre-back to do, and what Gareth wants to do as well. But we have had a chat with him.”

Rangers’ interest in McAuley may have diminished with Nottingham Forest’s Joe Worrall set to sign on loan today. Aberdeen were reported to be keen in the Scottish press last week.

Landing another centre-half is Town’s priority going into deadline day with McAuley one of a number of players in manager Paul Hurst’s thoughts.

It’s believed the Blues remain interesting in AFC Wimbledon skipper Deji Oshilaja, who was at the club and came close to signing on the final day of the transfer window, while West Ham’s James Collins is another central defender who has come into consideration, although it is believed the 35-year-old Welshman could return to the Hammers, while QPR are also said to be keen.

Last night, Town were linked with Wolves skipper Danny Batth, however, Sheffield Wednesday appear to be the favourites for the 27-year-old with Leeds also reported to be contenders.

Both Town boss Hurst and Blackpool interim-manager Terry McPhillips have said the Blues' long-standing move for central defender Curtis Tilt, which looked to have made progress earlier in the week, isn't going to come to fruition.

“As far as we’re aware it’s dead now but we’re not stupid — it’s football and anything can happen until 5pm,” McPhillips told the Blackpool Gazette.

“We don’t want to lose anyone else. It will be nervous times for us. If we can keep the squad we’ve got and maybe add another one or two, then I think we’ll be in good fettle.”

Photo: Action Images

Sm00411 added 12:50 - Aug 31 If we've only got 2 CBs and we've received a big fee for Webster it plays into the selling clubs hand. They are aware we have money to spend this window. They are aware we are desperate for a CB. They can put a ridiculous price on the player we're after. PH has said he won't pay over the odds and quite right. We don't get a lot of money to spend in the transfer market so when we do get it we need to get value for money. If this CB saga ends with Woolfenden being propelled into the first team then there's no complaints from me. He looks ready. He can get experience under his belt and we can better use the money in the next window.

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peteswindon added 13:57 - Aug 31 Coming to something when we cant even get a 38 year old ex player without a club to sign for us. Why not get Burley and Mills to strap on their boots again.
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GSH71 added 14:03 - Aug 31 What's the betting we end up with no one again, good ole town, always leaving it to the last minute.
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GSH71 added 14:05 - Aug 31 We will be lucky to get a draw on Sunday , if not it could be a heavy defeat , I hope not though.
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Juanforthemoney added 14:11 - Aug 31 Phew, thank goodness for that.
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itfckenty added 14:11 - Aug 31 supposedly we are due to sign Matthew Pennington on loan form Everton..
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runningout added 14:16 - Aug 31 Pennington from Everton maybe...?
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Lightningboy added 14:39 - Aug 31 Just over 2 hours remaining and nothing concrete happening apart from more links with loanees. For me this is down to our seemingly ridiculous obsession for the last 2 months with trying to sign a 27 year old league 1 player with 1 season's experience at football league level from a club who have continually messed us/him about. Should've moved on from Tilt 6/7 weeks ago and got this sorted before the actual season started..some of our dealings & decisions at times are embarrassingly amateurish..for all Mick's faults he wouldn't have made such a pig's ear out of this situation.

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