Blackburn attracted by under threat Reds chief

The former Rovers defender has reportedly attracted the attention of the club’s hierarchy, who are in the process of drawing up a short-list to replace Steve Kean.

But Hill is not giving any credence to the reports, which come less than two weeks after it was suggested he would be axed if potential new Italian owners took over at Barnsley.

The Oakwell chief said: “You have got to just ignore it. One minute, we were talking about takeovers and my job being an issue in that I would be relieved of my duties as soon as the new owners take over, which wasn’t great and not nice for my family.

“Within a week, I am supposedly being linked with the Blackburn Rovers job...

“It is just the helter-skelter of English football. I do not look too closely or keenly at anything, other than the fact that if I want to be – and choose to be – I will be involved in English football for a long time to come.”

Hill admits he is anxious that a ‘strong referee’ takes charge of tomorrow’s Yorkshire derby against Leeds United at Elland Road.

The game has seen two red cards in the past two seasons, with David Perkins sent off late on in the Tykes’ 2-1 win at Leeds last November, and a 3-3 draw in February, 2011 resulted in home player Bradley Johnson dismissed in a game which also saw United awarded a controversial penalty.

Hill and Barnsley were also incensed when Michael Brown failed to see red for a strong challenge on Jacob Butterfield in the Reds’ 4-1 victory at Oakwell on New Year’s Eve, with the midfielder failing to appear again in the 2011-12 season.

On tomorrow’s encounter, to be refereed by Darren Deadman, Hill added: “I am expecting a high-tempo and emotional game and I hope we have a strong referee.

“The crowd itself there can play a massive part on gamesmanship and sportsmanship within the 90 minutes. It is a cauldron there, but it is a pleasure to play there, no doubt about that.”

Sheffield United chief Danny Wilson admits he would like to sign loan striker Paul Gallagher on a permanent basis in January.

Gallagher’s one-month loan from Leicester City expires after the Blades’ Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game at Notts County on Wednesday with Wilson having spoken to Foxes chief Nigel Pearson about extending the deal.

Wilson, who has also revealed he is keen to keep fellow in-form frontman Dave Kitson for a longer spell – his short-term deal ends on December 31 – said: “I would like to think it would be a possibility that we could strike a permanent deal for Paul in January.

“Ordinarily, players of his quality would not look at League One. But the pull of Sheffield United is in our favour.”