Brown admits Riordan interest

Preston North End manager Craig Brown has revealed his interest in Hibernian striker Derek Riordan.

The former Scotland boss admitted the 21-year-old (pictured) may be a potential replacement for the departed Ricardo Fuller, who joined Premiership side Portsmouth on a pay-as-you-play basis.

Brown, who has also been linked with Watford striker Danny Webber, stated that he has not made a formal bid to the Edinburgh club regarding Riordan.

"We are actively looking for a striker," Brown told the Daily Record.

"Both those guys would be good acquisitions and both are good players, but we haven't made an approach for either of them.

"I don't want to stir up the fans by saying we are bringing in another Ricardo Fuller next week because those sort of players are rare and expensive.

"But we need to replace him and we need to bring in a player who has qualities which are different to the qualities of the players we already have."

Meanwhile, Hibs manager Tony Mowbray has insisted that fellow striker Tom McManus is still part of his plans at Easter Road this season.

The 23-year-old has been the subject of a move away after the hit-man was left out of the club's CIS Insurance Cup second round win over Alloa Athletic on Tuesday.

Mowbray has insisted that the former Scotland Under-21 international has a future with The Hibees, despite links the marksman may be heading south to England.

"Tom is still very much part of my squad. He worked hard in training this morning and he is still part of the club," Mowbray told the Daily Record.

"There have been enquiries about him but he is not that pleased about all the talk he is leaving, neither am I, and he will be in my squad for the weekend."