Hoops eyeing up ambitious swoop for old favourite Mooney

The 32-year-old is with League One side Southend, the seventh English club he has lined out for since leaving Cork City in 2008.

Mooney started his career with Rovers before enjoying success under Alan Mathews at Longford and Cork, which earned him a move to Reading. Loan spells with Stockport, Norwich, Charlton and Colchester preceded a permanent switch to Leyton Orient, where he spent four seasons.

He joined Southend last summer on a two-year deal but is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, and the fact he has time remaining on his contract would present an obstacle to Rovers. Any deal would hinge on Southend deeming the forward surplus to requirements.

But the player is understood to be on Rovers' radar as head coach Stephen Bradley and sporting director Stephen McPhail seek to improve their squad to mount a title challenge next term.

They have looked to Irish players across the water as part of their recruitment drive.

Talks

Rovers are already in talks with Blackpool's Mark Yeates about a return home to Ireland in January. Midfielder David McAllister, who was released by Stevenage last summer and has suffered with injury, is also in discussions with the Hoops.

Rovers have already completed a deal for ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Northampton midfielder Paul Corry.

Former Ireland goalkeeper Joe Murphy - now at Huddersfield - is on their radar too, while Notts County attacker Graham Burke is another option, although champions Dundalk are also interested in the 23-year-old.

Dundalk have announced that 'keeper Gary Rogers has signed a new contract but their winter plans are complicated by the likelihood of losing players headed the other way, with Daryl Horgan wanted by a host of suitors, and Bolton, Preston and Rangers keen on Andy Boyle.

St Pat's centre-half Sean Hoare is a likely replacement for Boyle and could join either way, while a substantial fee would be required to prise Dylan Connolly away from Bray to slot in for Horgan.

In preparation for their Europa League date in Israel next week, Dundalk play a closed-doors friendly with Northern Irish side Warrenpoint tonight. Stephen O'Donnell is undergoing extra physio work to try and shake off a hamstring issue.

Elsewhere, Mark Timlin has rejoined Derry from St Pat's, while Paddy Kavanagh has signed a new deal with Bohs.