Bristol City's play-off spot rivals close in on new manager as Middlesbrough could land £20m transfer boost

Bristol City are currently sat in 8th place in the Championship table. They have their sights set on getting into the top six this season.

The Robins have had an impressive campaign to date and are only two points off the play-offs. Liam Manning’s side ended up having a quiet January transfer window and didn’t sign anyone in the end. They made the decision to stick with what they have already in their squad.

Bristol City won 2-1 at home to Middlesbrough last time out. George Earthy scored two late goals for them against Boro and they are unbeaten in their last three outings. The Robins have also lost only once in their last seven matches so are in good form right now.

Speaking after their victory over Michael Carrick’s side, Manning said: “We’re pushing hard, the lads are giving absolutely everything and I think the ones [points] that we have dropped, it’s just learning for us.”

Blackburn Rovers close on new boss

Blackburn Rovers are working on a deal to appoint Valerien Ismael as their new manager, according to reporter Alan Nixon on his Patreon page. The Lancashire outfit want to lure him to Ewood Park as their replacement for John Eustace. Rovers have been in the hunt for a boss to replace Eustace following his surprise exit to fellow second tier outfit Derby County. They have been carefully weighing up their options.

Ismael, 49, first moved to England in 2020 following spells at Wolfsburg and LASK to join Barnsley. He ended up getting the Tykes into the play-offs against the odds.

His more recent spells at West Brom and Watford haven’t gone to plan. However, Frenchman may feel he has a point to prove now in this country amid strong links to promotion chasing Blackburn now.

Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney wanted

Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney has emerged on the radar of Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, according to TBR Football. The report adds that Boro value the player at around the £20million mark.

Hackney, 22, has been on the books at the Riverside Stadium for his whole career to date. The Redcar-born man has made 89 appearances in all competitions and he has chipped in with eight goals. He also had a loan spell away as a youngster at Scunthorpe United in League Two to get some valuable experience under his belt.

He penned a deal running until 2027 back in 2023 meaning his current club are under no pressure to sell him just yet and can wait for the right offer to come in for his signature. At the time, Carrick said: "It's fantastic news," said Carrick. "He's a pleasure to work with. Hayden has come through the Academy here and is a local lad. It's a real bonus when you get someone like him. He's at the start of his journey and he has a lot of potential. We want to help him and develop him so he can be as good as he possibly can be."