Dundee in talks over A-Jay stay

DUNDEE are working on keeping their leading league scorer A-Jay LeitchSmith at the club until the end of the season.

The forward’s loan deal from Shrewsbury Town is due to end this month but the Dark Blues want to extend that for the rest of the campaign.

The former Crewe and Port Vale man notched his fifth goal of the Premiership season in the 2-0 win over St Johnstone on December 30 to take him one clear of four-goal man Mark O’Hara in terms of league strikes.

Dens gaffer Neil McCann has already stated his aim to keep Leitch-Smith while Shrews chief executive Brian Caldwell says talks have begun on doing just that.

He said: “There have been discussions taking place between the two clubs a n d A - J ay ’s representatives about potentially extending his loan to the end of the season.

“From A-Jay’s point of view, we can see why it would be beneficial to him as he has started the last four games for Dundee and managed a goal and an assist i n his l ast game before the winter break.

“Dundee seem keen to keep him, so it’s i n the interest of all three parties to get this resolved.”

Meanwhile, Dark Blues exile Scott Bain made his first appearance of a loan spell at Hibs last night in Portugal.

The Edinburgh club are in the Algarve for warmweather training and took on Dutch side Excelsior.

The game finished 0-0 with Bain playing the full 90 minutes for his new side.

They face another Eredivisie side, Willem II, this Friday before heading home to the capital.

YESTERDAY Dundee confirmed the signing of keeper Jeremy Malherbe.

The Frenchman has signed till the end of the season.

A-Jay Leitch-Smith has scored five goals for Dundee.