Barnsley hoping to lure Butcher down from the Highlands as Hill’s replacement

The Reds were given permission to speak with the Inverness Caledonian Thistle boss yesterday afternoon about the vacant Oakwell post.

Just a few hours later, Barnsley’s managerless neighbours Doncaster Rovers – seeking a new boss following the departure of Dean Saunders to Wolves – were reported to have also asked Inverness to speak with Butcher.

Some TV reports in Scotland suggested the two clubs were in a tug-of-war for Butcher, but it is understood that Rovers have not made an approach for the former England captain.

Butcher has guided Inverness to second spot in the Scottish Premier League and league cup semi-finals this term despite limited resources.

The 54-year-old, linked with former club Ipswich Town earlier this term, has just under 18 months on his deal to run.

He is happy at Inverness who will hope his love of the quality of life in the Highlands will help them hold on to him.

But the Reds maintain hopes of enticing Butcher, with meeting his terms and paying the relevant compensation package not expected to be significant hurdles to overcome.

However, Butcher’s return south of the border could hinge on whether he could bring No 2 Maurice Malpas and goalkeeping coach and scout – Yorkshire-born Steve Marsella – with him, with Barnsley having not yet asked permission to speak with the duo.

Butcher is currently on a short family holiday in England ahead of the resumption of the SPL this weekend following a short winter’s break.

Barnsley managing director Don Rowing said: “‘I have spoken to Terry since speaking to the Inverness chairman and he has intimated his willingness to come to the meeting.

“I think he was pleased with what he heard when he did speak to me.

“But I think he needs to meet with my fellow directors and the owner to see if he likes what he sees and hears.

“If he does, then I’m sure we can get moving.”

Inverness chief Kenny Cameron commented: “We will be doing everything possible to ensure Terry remains with the club and finishes what has been an incredible journey to date.”

Rowing, meanwhile, has insisted that there will be no mass exodus of players from Oakwell in the wake of the imminent exits of top scorer Craig Davies and former captain Scott Wiseman, to Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool respectively.

Speculation suggested Crystal Palace were lining up a dual move for midfielders David Perkins and Matty Done, with Birmingham City also reportedly making an enquiry for Stephen Dawson.

Wigan Athletic have also been linked with a move for teenage defender John Stones.

But Rowing has scotched the rumours, adding: “We do not envisage anyone else going out.

“There is no mass exodus. You always get these sort of rumours in January whether a manager is here or not.

“There are always people trying to pinch your better players, but at the end of the day the two deals we have done are in the best interests of Barnsley Football Club, we feel.

“These deals (for Davies and Wiseman) were something we had arranged prior to even talking about a (new) manager.

“Craig has made it obvious he wanted to move and it hasn’t worked out for Scott and we are not standing in his way.

“He hasn’t quite gelled with the fans and it is just one of those things that sometimes happens. It is a shame really, but it has happened and we have agreed that he can move on.

“We are not prepared to let anyone else go out and we certainly would not make that decision; it would be the new manager who would do that.”

Rowing, who confirmed the club remain in talks with Mido’s representatives to finalise the Egyptian’s departure from the club, said: “There will be a little money to try and regenerate things.

“But we have quite a big squad here, actually.”