Ipswich Town continue their search for a central defender as tonight’s 5pm loan deadline approaches but they will not be signing Danny Batth from Wolves.

The Blues have been linked with the 27-year-old, who has captained the Premier League club in the past, but we understand the defender will be heading elsewhere before the close of play today.

Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday have both shown an interest.

Former Ipswich captain Gareth McAuley is another player manager Paul Hurst has shown an interest in but the Blues face serious competition from Scottish sides Rangers and Hearts. Aberdeen are also said to be interested.

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“Gareth McAuley is a player I know really well,” Hearts assistant Austin McPhee told The Scotsman. “I’ve worked with him for five years (while 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.”

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Ipswich have spent the majority of the summer looking to land Curtis Tilt of Blackpool, both before the deadline for permanent deals and on loan subsequently, but Hurst has since admitted a move is unlikely.

While a late move for the 27-year-old should not be ruled out, Blackpool caretaker Terry McPhillips also believes it’s unlikely.

“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.

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“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.”

With a move for Tilt stalling, the Blues turned to AFC Wimbledon defender Deji Oshilaja in the week prior to the deadline for permanent deals, but despite making a ‘substantial’ offer a deal was not done for the £750,000-rated defender.