COVENTRY City boss Andy Thorn has admitted an interest in Scunthorpe United keeper Joe Murphy.

The former chief scout, and now current Sky Blues boss, may well be on the lookout for a new custodian between the posts with current number one, and fellow Republic of Ireland international, Keiren Westwood seemingly reluctant to sign a new deal at the Ricoh Arena.

Murphy would be available on a free transfer once his contract expires at the end of June.

And it seems City could be lining up the 29-year-old, should Westwood depart, with Celtic rumoured to be long-standing interested suitors in the latter.

"I am an admirer of Joe Murphy who is a decent keeper and been outstanding in a team that hasn't particularly done well, and that's no disrespect to them," said Thorn, whose scouts have watched the Iron this season.

"Obviously we want Keiren to stay but if he doesn't then I have to have other options and have our ducks in a row and prepare in case we don't get people to re-sign.

"If we do, fantastic, but we can't be left up the creek without a paddle."

Murphy has always maintained that nothing happens with contracts until 'four or five weeks' after the season has ended.