Town battle to get Boyle

TOWN could battle with fellow Championship outfit Stoke City for the services of Hibernian winger Martin Boyle.

The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his Hibs deal and Edinburgh Live says reports have suggested Town and the Potters are looking at Boyle who could be allowed to leave for a cut-price fee.

Boyle has found the back of the net five times in 20 league games for the Easter Road outfit before the season was brought to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic and has battled back from two serious knee injuries.

Hibernian have announced large cuts to their annual budget as a result of the crisis.

Boyle has been with Hibs since 2015 and began his career at Montrose before moving on to Dundee.

■■HULL City have had their survival hopes rocked by the news that four players will leave the club immediately.

The players, including Marcus Maddison and Eric Lichaj, have failed to agree new deals.

While six players have agreed short-term contracts to stay at the club, it represents a significant blow to the Tigers, particularly as Barnsley have also refused a request to extend Mallik Wilks’ loan deal.

It means Wilks will return to his parent club at the end of the month.

Former Leeds United winger Wilks moved to Barnsley in the summer but managed just 15 Championship appearances, scoring once, before he was loaned out to Hull in January.

He found more success at the Tigers, scoring three goals in seven league starts.