Leeds United boss Steve Evans has claimed he would have signed Jordan Rhodes if he had been in Middlesbrough's position.

The Elland Road club failed to land a striker during the January transfer window and Evans has been gazing enviously at Boro's riches following deadline day.

However, he has said he will get Leeds to a position where they are competing for promotion and the league's best players - it will just take time.

Evans told the Yorkshire Evening Post : “Aitor Karanka (Middlesbrough’s head coach) is now in the position where he’ll be forced to leave quality players out.

“He might feel required to play Rhodes because of the money involved which means David Nugent might sit on the bench.

Jordan Rhodes of Blackburn Rovers is on the move to Middlesbrough

“That’s a fantastic position to be in but it’s taken him and Middlesbrough three or four windows to get there and as I’ve said many times, that’s what I need.

“People will roll their eyes when they hear me say this but if we’d been in Middlesbrough’s position in the league, do I think we’d have signed Jordan Rhodes?

“I believe we would have done. I believe we’ll get to that point. But I know that saying it and doing it are two different things.”

Elsewhere, Bristol City are reportedly closing in on a new Head Coach.

The Ashton Gate side are looking for a new chief after sacking Steve Cotterill last month, and are apparently working through a shortlist of candidates.

While the likes of David Moyes and Neil Warnock have been linked with the job, the Bristol Post believe Gareth Southgate and Garry Monk would be a better fit for the person the club are looking for to lead the team long term and work with youth.

Former Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies is targeting permanent ownership of the QPR no.1 shirt.

Huddersfield Town v Queens Park Rangers: Goalkeeper Alex Smithies who recently joined QPR from Town.
Huddersfield Town v Queens Park Rangers: Goalkeeper Alex Smithies who recently joined QPR from Town.

The stopper had been growing frustrated with limited opportunities, but has had the chance to shine given Rob Green's contract situation and has no intention of letting the spot slip from his grasp.

He told the Kilburn Times : “It was difficult and frustrating for me in the first half of the sason.

“But at the same time it gave me the opportunity to put some extra hours in and work on some things I’m not so good at, which you don’t normally get when you’re playing every game so it may have been a blessing in disguise.

“It was very frustrating personally but I just had to keep my mind down and work hard. I’ll certainly be looking to keep my place in the team now, I want to make that spot my own.”

Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton has admitted he could turn to the loan window in search of a new striker.

Despite being blessed with the likes of Bobby Zamora, James Wilson and Tomer Hemed up front, as well as Sam Baldock returning from injury, the former Newcastle boss won't rule out making a temporary signing when the window opens next week.

Brighton manager Chris Hughton

He said: It’s an option for us. We won’t shut our thinking at all once that opens (loan window).

“If there are any opportunities that we think can improve us then it is something we will look at but at the moment I’m delighted with the squad we’ve got.”

Meanwhile, Brentford will be investing their January funds with squad additions in the summer , Co-Director of Football Phil Giles has confirmed.

The Bees sold James Tarkowski and Toumani Diagouraga in the winter window, and have already identified targets to replace them once the summer rolls around.

Giles revealed: “The money will be reinvested in the summer. I believe we're fine for FFP this season. We can factor it into next season's budget and the summer budget. That's the plan.”

Rotherham have terminated the contract of Simon Lenighan after an internal investigation.

The midfielder was suspended just a week after joining i December, when he was convicted of assault.

A former Leeds Academy product, Lenighan did not make an first team appearance during his time at Rotherham.

Darren Bent still has a role at Derby County , Paul Clement has insisted.

Derby County's Darren Bent (centre) celebrates scoring his sides third goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at the iPro Stadium, Derby. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday April 14, 2015. See PA story SOCCER Derby. Photo credit should read: Simon Cooper/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos.

The veteran striker hasn't played for Derby since the FA Cup match on January 9, when he scored the winner against Hartlepool, and hasn't made the 18 man squad for the last four matches.

However, Clement insists he is still very much in line for a place if performances merit it.

Said Clement : "As long as he is at this football club he has a part to play and things can change very quickly.

"I have a lot of good players and a lot of competition in the front positions.

"If Darren is in the squad or in the team then someone else isn't, and we would be having this discussion about that person.

"It could be Johnny Russell, Tom Ince or Nick Blackman - it is part and parcel of the side and of the squad at the moment, and the number of front players we have for the three positions if we play 4-3-3."