Eoin Doyle was watched by a posse of clubs as he scored again for Chesterfield this week in their encounter with Crawley Town. Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Sheffield United are in pole position to sign Chesterfield striker Eoin Doyle before the transfer window closes next week.

The Dubliner is top of the League One goalscoring charts and was watched by a posse of clubs as he scored twice in last night's encounter with Crawley Town.

Championship sides Wigan, Derby, Blackburn and Millwall have all scouted the 26-year-old and Chesterfield have already rejected a bid from Rotherham.

But Doyle is attracted by a move down the road to join Nigel Clough's Sheffield United, who have the financial clout to make a deal happen and also retain promotion ambitions via the play-offs despite the distraction of their cup runs.

The Blades are ready to press ahead with a deal worth an initial £600,000 that would rise to in excess of £1m if they went up this season.

Chesterfield boss Paul Cook - who could agree a new contract himself in the coming weeks - is bracing himself for Doyle's departure but he still retains hope that a deal can be done to bring ex-UCD man Paul Corry in from Sheffield Wednesday.

Thwarted

Corry's deal is up at the end of the season and Cook has been thwarted in his attempts to sign him on loan. The midfielder's short-term future will hinge on whether a settlement can be thrashed out with Wednesday.

Two players who won't be going anywhere in this window are Stoke's Glenn Whelan and Bradford's Mark Yeates.

Whelan has yet to formally agree an extended deal at Stoke but the details should be completed within a fortnight. His former boss Tony Pulis, now with West Brom, was firmly knocked back when he approached the Potters to enquire about his availability.

Yeates, who scored Bradford's fourth goal in their famous win at Chelsea on Saturday, is on the verge of signing fresh terms with the Bantams.

The 30-year-old has found security under Phil Parkinson after a hectic period where he frequently moved base.

Hull City need to secure a new striker before they can turn their attention to other areas and that's why they have been unable to accelerate their interest in St Patrick's Athletic defender Sean Hoare.

Meanwhile, Brentford are lining up a bid for Derry's Michael Duffy but have decided against making a move for his colleague Patrick McEleney.

The protracted announcement of Cabinteely FC as a new addition to the Airtricity League First Division is expected this week. They will play out of Blackrock Rugby Club's grounds in Stradbrook.

Irish Independent