BLUES boss Jim Magilton is considering making a late swoop for Bournemouth striker James Hayter, if he doesn't land another one of a couple of targets.

By Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton is considering making a late swoop for Bournemouth striker James Hayter, if he doesn't land another one of a couple of targets.

After a day of frantic negotiations Magilton is also hoping to secure Crystal Palace striker Jon Macken, after a U-turn by Eagles boss Peter Taylor, and is preparing to lose Nicky Forster to Hull City, who is today expected to agree a two-year deal there.Forster was last night understood to be undergoing a medical at the KC Stadium after Hull agreed a fee of around £250,000, for the 33-year-old striker who missed much of last season with an injury and yet still finished top scorer with seven goals.

It looks to be a terrific move for all parties, with Forster getting a longer deal at Hull than the one year he has left at Portman Road, Phil Parkinson getting a player he knows well from his Reading days and is a proven goal-scorer, and the Blues getting a sizeable fee for a player in the twilight of his career, with the likes of Billy Clarke at the start of theirs.

Magilton last night said: “Nicky Forster is in talks with Hull City and we have a few irons in the fire about bringing new players in. We had hoped more would have been done today but we keep working and looking to make things happen.”

The 27-year-old Hayter, who is coming into his prime as a striker, holds the record for the quickest hat-trick in league football, less than 140 seconds, hit 22 goals for struggling Bournemouth last season and has amassed 97 goals in his Cherries 371-game career.

Magilton said: “James Hayter is one of those players we have had watched and who we like but as yet no bid has been made. We are pursuing a number of options but it is possible we may bid for James before the deadline.”

One of those options is former Preston and Manchester City striker Macken and if the Macken move doesn't come off then Magilton could turn to Hayter, or even Bohemians attacker Stephen Ward.

On the other hand, Macken's arrival could end the interest in Coventry striker Dele Adebola and mean Matt Richards will not be going to the Ricoh Stadium.

Richards is wanted by Sky Blues boss Micky Adams, who would only allow his striker to leave, if the left-sided midfielder was part of the deal.

Magilton is today hoping that Frenchman Sylvain Legwinski can sort out some differences he has at Fulham so he can join the Blues after being offered a one-year deal at Portman Road. He said: “We thought we had an agreement with Sylvain but first he has to sort out some issues he has with Fulham, again, hopefully, that can be resolved today.”

The wheeling and dealing will continue today for Magilton after the frustrations of yesterday but the Blues are in a good position with money to spend and time still on their side. While Magilton is looking to add to the additions he has already made and while the full transfer window closes at midnight tonight, he can still make 'emergency' loan signings until November.

n Neil Mellor has chosen to join Preston from Liverpool after agreeing a three-year deal.

Blues boss Jim Magilton had asked about the 21-year-old striker from Anfield but Mellor preferred to stay in the northwest.