Rovers to Sign Ricky (not Lambert)

Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke is expected to launch a deadline day raid for prolific Dover Athletic striker Ricky Miller in a bid to replace Bristol City-bound Matty Taylor.

The Post understands that City tabled an undisclosed offer in a bid for Taylor over the weekend and have triggered a release clause in his contract that grants them permission to speak to them.

Several Championship clubs are also said to be monitoring the situation and Taylor is expected leave the Memorial Stadium after two-and-a-half years before the deadline for transfers passes at 11pm tonight.

That leaves Clarke with only three strikers in his armoury – Rory Gaffney, Ellis Harrison and Luke James – but the Post understands that Rovers are set to table an offer in a bid to bring in-demand Miller to the Memorial Stadium as a replacement.

Miller, 27, is the leading scorer in the Vanarama National League with Saturday's double in the 3-1 win against Chester taking him to 27 league goals for the season.

The 6ft 2inch striker, who like Taylor has scored goals at a prolific rate on the non-league scene, netted 20 last term after joining Dover following his release by Luton, where he scored one goal in 12 games in what was to date his only season at Football League level.

National League high-fliers Lincoln City and Forest Green Rovers are also interested in prising Miller away from The Crabble, but Dover have insisted that they wil only sell Miller, who is out of contract at the end of the season to an established Football League club.

They are believed to be looking at an offer northwards of £250,000 to even consider letting their prized asset go but Rovers look set to test their resolve between now and 11pm.

Speaking after Miller scored twice as Dover beat Chester 3-1 on Saturday, manager Chris Kinnear said: "Nobody has made an offer for (Miller) in the Football League (and) he won't go to anyone in this (National) league.

"You know as much as I do. We haven't had an offer so it's irrelevant."