Dundee keen to extend Leitch-Smith's loan spell

Dundee are in talks with Shrewsbury about extending striker A-Jay Leitch-Smith's loan deal until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old swapped New Meadow for Dens Park at the start of the season and has made a positive contribution as Neil McCann's side recently clawed themselves off bottom spot.

He netted his fifth goal of the campaign against St Johnstone in their last game before the split and also grabbed an assist in the 2-0 Perth win.

The former Crewe, Yeovil and Port Vale frontman is due to return to Shrewsbury at the end of this month but Dee chiefs are now hoping to agree a deal allowing him to see out the season on Tayside.

Shrewsbury chief executive Brian Caldwell told Press Association Sport: There's has been discussions taking place between the two clubs and A-Jay's representatives about potentially extending his loan to the end of the season.

From A-Jay's point of view, we can see why it would be beneficial to him as he has started the last four games for Dundee and managed a goal and an assist in his last game before the winter break.

Dundee seem keen to keep him so it's in the interest of all three parties to get this resolved.'

Meanwhile, McCann has also moved to replace goalkeeper Scott Bain after handing French stopper Jeremy Malherbe a deal to the end of the season following a successful trial stint.

The former AS Nancy trainee was most recently on the books with Belarussian outfit FC Dynamo Bres, who he helped to qualify for the Europa League after winning their domestic cup competition.

Bain has joined Hibernian on loan to the end of the season following a reported fall-out with McCann