Football Today (Friday, Jan 6): Town eye two targets | Barnsley defender wanted | Boro hope to have Chelsea striker back | Blades go for former Bradford star

The Rotherham United loanee from Chelsea is widely expected to officially return to his parent club shortly and be loaned back out to a Championship club, with Town being the leading contenders.

Birmingham City boss and former Stamford Bridge favourite Gianfranco Zola is also keen on landing Brown, who has impressed greatly during his time with the Millers.

But Town appear favourites.

According to reports in Wales, former Rotherham chief Neil Warnock is set to raid his former club to sign utility man Greg Halford.

Reports suggest Warnock has agreed a £100,000 deal with the Millers to sign Halford, 32, as the Cardiff City chief’s first signing of the January window.

Influential Barnsley defender Marc Roberts has been linked with a big-money move to Premier League duo West Bromwich Albion and Burnley.

The 26-year-old former Halifax centre-half has played a key role in the Reds’ outstanding opening half of the season and been a regular in the heart of the back four.

Barnsley-born Roberts has assumed more responsibility following the departure of Alfie Mawson to Swansea - with Albion and the Clarets monitoring his performances.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield are one of host of clubs reportedly tracking highly-rated Burton Albion midfielder Jackson Irvine.

The Australian, who scored a splendid goal in the recent win at Rotherham, is being coveted by a host of Championship clubs, with Town, Birminngham City, Derby County, Wolves and Norwich City all linked along with top-flight strugglers Swansea City.

Irvine joined the Brewers in a club-record £250,000 deal from Scottish side Ross County in the summer and has impressed all season.

Giant Croatian midfielder Ivan Paurevic is set to return to Russian side FC UFA after failing to establish himself at Huddersfield.

Paurevic has made two appearances for Town, on the opening day win at home to Brentford and the cup defeat at Shrewsbury.

Former Middlesbrough loan striker Patrick Bamford could be set to return to Teesside from Chelsea.

The 23-year-old is set to be recalled from a loan spell at Burnley – and that has alerted Boro chief Aitor Karanka.

Bamford was a big hit at the Riverside two seasons ago when he was voted Championship Player of the Season.

But his career has stalled since his successful spell at Boro, with the forward failing to establish himself at Crystal Palace last term or Burnley this season.

Sheffield United are one of several clubs linked with Northampton Town winger Paul Anderson, who joined the club from Bradford City in the summer.

Wigan Athletic and Cardiff City are also interested, with Scunthorpe United also reportedly believed to be considering a move.

Loanee Daniel Lafferty is set to join the Blades on a permanent deal.

Bradford City last night clinched the signing of striker Alex Jones from Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee.

Jones, who has already scored 10 goals in all competitions for League One side Port Vale this season, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Bradford, keeping him at the Northern Commercials Stadium till 2019.

Subject to clearance, Jones could feature for Stuart McCall’s side in Saturday’s match at home to Chesterfield.