Cliftonville and Crusaders fighting to keep talent away from rival clubs

Ben Wilson's performances for Cliftonville have attracted attention

North Belfast is under attack as rival clubs hope to plunder both Cliftonville and Crusaders in the January transfer window.

Reds trio Stephen Mallon, Chris Gallagher and Ben Wilson are wanted men, while Linfield, Larne and Glentoran have made preliminary enquiries about Crues star Ben Kennedy.

Dundalk have registered their interest in 24-year-old Mallon and Lilywhites manager Stephen O'Donnell was at Solitude on Saturday to watch the silky left sided player, who has returned successfully from injury.

No offer has been made yet but Cliftonville have been told the interest is genuine in Mallon, who is out of contract next summer, and a bid is expected.

Sunday Life Sport revealed last week that Gallagher had agreed to join Larne and Tiernan Lynch tried in vain to get him into his squad next month.

It is understood Larne are relaxed about the situation, happy to wait for Gallagher if a deal cannot be done in January.

While no offer has been received from Hibs for leading goalscorer Wilson, who spent five years at Brighton, two scouts from clubs in England were in attendance on Saturday to assess the 22-year-old.

Meanwhile, Kennedy remains in limbo at Seaview after being transfer listed this week, and the Blues, the Glens and Larne reached out to establish what the situation was with 26-year-old Kennedy, who had a fallout with manager Stephen Baxter.

The door is still open for the Lisburn man to stay at Seaview if he breaks bread with Baxter, otherwise the club will listen to offers.

Loughgall are trying to establish if loan striker Jay Boyd will return to Seaview in January, while Lewis Barr – on loan at H & W Welders – is also due to return to North