LEICESTER City today admitted that they expect immediate interest in central defender Gareth McAuley.And Foxes chief executive Paul Aldridge has revealed that he would consider offers for his players and “respond accordingly”.

Elvin King

LEICESTER City today admitted that they expect immediate interest in central defender Gareth McAuley.

And Foxes chief executive Paul Aldridge has revealed that he would consider offers for his players and “respond accordingly”.

Aldridge confirmed that there will be no new signings before manager Ian Holloway's replacement is announced, most probably at the end of next week, but added:

“Players going out, we will have to consider any offer that's made to us and respond accordingly.

“We haven't got anything to consider at the moment so it's not something to worry about at this stage.”

Ipswich Town chief executive Derek Bowden said today: “The ball is in Leicester's court with our interest in the player well documented.”

The Blues made a “final” offer, believed to be around £1million for McAuley in the final days of the January transfer window, and the following month the Republic of Ireland central defender signed a new deal to tie him to the Walkers Stadium until the summer of 2011.

Despite failing to halt Leicester's slide into League One, McAuley is well respected as a player and he tops Town boss Jim Magilton's list of players to replace departed skipper Jason De Vos.

New QPR manager Iain Dowie is also showing an interest in 28-year-old McAuley, who has ten Northern Ireland caps and moved from Lincoln to Leicester on a free transfer in June 2006 to further his career.

The draw for the first round of the Carling Cup will be made on Friday, June 13, with games to be played on August 13 and 14. Coca-Cola Championship fixtures will be published the following Monday.