Transfer gossip (Jan 26): Leeds United, Owls, Hull City and Huddersfield Town step up hunt

Aidan McGeady in match action for Everton.

Sheffield Wednesday could renew their interest in Alan Judge after Brentford head coach Dean Smith admitted he could leave before the transfer window closes.

Wednesday had an approach rejected soon after the January window opened and remain interested in the 27-year-old playmaker, who has scored 12 times this season and is hoping for a place in the Republic of Ireland squad for this summer’s European Championships.

Smith said: “It’s very hard to know what’s going to happen. Everyone has a value and if that value is met then it’s very difficult to say ‘no’ to. But we want to keep him here.”

The Owls and Leeds United are also keen on Aiden McGeady, whom Everton chief Roberto Martinez says can leave for the right “football proposition”.

Middlesbrough are expected to step up their interest in Fulham’s former Leeds United striker Ross McCormack, 29, who has scored 17 goals already this term for the Championship strugglers.

McCormack was left out of Fulham’s squad that were beaten by Hull City on Saturday due to “illness” but Fulham chief Slavisa Jokanovic insisted the club are under no pressure to sell, despite being under a transfer embargo.

Title-chasing Boro chief Aitor Karanka remains tight-lipped on a link to the striker but admits he wants new additions after two successive defeats.

They could also be back in, along with title rivals Hull City, with a loan move for Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford.

The 22-year-old had a barren loan spell at Crystal Palace earlier this season, failing to score in nine games, but he netted 19 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for the Boro last season.

Bamford joined Chelsea in January 2012 from Nottingham Forest for £1.5 but has yet to make an appearance for them.

Feyenoord youth product Wolves winger or striker Rajiv van La Parra is on the radar of Huddersfield Town.

The Dutchman, 24, has been in and out of Kenny Jackett’s side this season, and had a six-game loan spell at Brighton and Hove Albion. He featured in Wolves’ 1-1 draw at QPR on Saturday.

He has made 38 starts and played 14 times as a substitute for Wolves.

Eric Black has left his post as assistant manager at Rotherham United to take up a similar job at Aston Villa.