Town are amongst a number of Championship clubs being linked with a move for Rochdale central defender Craig Dawson. Burnley are reported to heading the Blues and Middlesbrough in the race to sign the 20-year-old.

Dawson was left out of his hometown club’s side for Saturday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Bradford with a move away from Spotland thought to be close.

In May, Boro had a bid of £400,000 turned down by the League One club, who have set a price of £1 million for the 6ft 2in tall centre-half, who has handed in two transfer requests over the summer. Earlier in the year, a £250,000 bid from Scunthorpe was also rebuffed by the Lancastrians.

Burnley are currently understood to be in the current frontrunners, but the Blues are also said to be ready to tempt Dale with an offer close to their valuation.

Dawson, who was named Coca-Cola League Two Player of the Year last season as his club won promotion, started his career with non-league Radcliffe Borough and has previously been linked with Tottenham and Fulham.

The defender, whose current contract stretches until 2012, has been tipped as a future England international.

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

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