Aston Villa are among those clubs keeping a close eye on Lazio defender Luis Cavanda, according to his agent.
Paul Lambert is looking to add depth to his squad during the January transfer window, and plugging holes at the back is a priority.
Cavanda is considered to be a potential target, with the Belgium U21 international having impressed in Serie A.
He is still only 21 years of age, but Villa are planning for the future and have pieced together a youthful squad brimming with potential.
They would face competition for Cavanda's signature were Lazio to agree to a sale, with a number of other sides having also expressed an interest in a player who is under contract until 2014.
Cavanda's representative Ulisse Savini said: "I'll meet Lazio to talk about Cavanda next week. We want to plan his future.
"There are no official offers for him right now, but it is pleasing to know that he is liked.
"There are a lot of clubs who have put the spotlight on him. Aston Villa, for example, are following him with interest."
Hughes had his contract at Notts County terminated by mutual consent on Monday afternoon, making him a free agent.
The 36-year-old almost joined Vale in November but his protracted move to the npower League Two club did not go through before the deadline for loan deals.
Hughes is set to have a medical at Vale on Tuesday ahead of completing a move to Vale Park.
A statement on the Valiants' official website said: "Port Vale can confirm that the club is in discussions to sign striker Lee Hughes.
"The forward will have a medical tomorrow, with a view to joining Micky Adams' squad."
Saunders left Doncaster on Monday after almost 16 months in charge to take over at Wolves, who sacked Stale Solbakken on following their FA Cup third-round defeat at non-league Luton.
Interest in replacing the Welshman at the Keepmoat Stadium has been high, with Ryan impressed by the calibre of applicant the south Yorkshire club are attracting.
And Ryan is confident he will be able to find the man with the right attributes to carry on the work done by Saunders, who leaves Doncaster joint-top of League One.
"Dean's achievements here have been incredible when you look at the situation when he arrived and where we are now," Ryan said. "Given our position, it's not the best timing. But it never is and that's football.
"Whoever we pick, we'll probably get criticised. When we appointed Sean (O'Driscoll) and when we brought in Dean there were people questioning it, but now look where we are. I think our judgement has been pretty good.
"But in my 15 years at the club we have always had a plan B and we won't be distracted from the big prize (of promotion).
"Getting back in the Championship is the over-riding ambition, that's the aim for the rest of the season. We've got as great set of fans here and a great set-up with the Keepmoat Stadium and the training ground - everything is in place.
"I'm sure we'll find someone who we think is capable of taking us there. We've already had a lot of applicants, and a lot of very high-quality applicants."
Former Wales Under-21 boss Brian Flynn, who has been working for Doncaster as a scout, and captain Rob Jones have been placed in temporary charge while Rovers conduct their search for a new manager. The club hope to make an appointment in time for their League One fixture at home to Leyton Orient on January 19.
The fixture was originally due to take place on December 22 but torrential rain rendered the Gresty Road playing surface unplayable.
Tickets for the original fixture will still be valid for the 7:45pm kick-off.
Beattie signed a short-term contract as a player-coach at the Crown Ground in November and has helped himself to four goals in nine starts.
The 34-year-old's current deal expires on Wednesday and Stanley boss Leam Richardson would like to ensure Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Dagenham is not his one-time Blackburn youth team-mate's final game for the club.
"Obviously, contract-wise, that was his last game because it ends on January 9," Richardson told the Lancashire Telegraph. "But I'm going to sit down with James, like I have done for the past few weeks, and speak to him."
Beattie is commuting to east Lancashire from Cheshire at the moment and Richardson acknowledges this might be a factor in the final decision.
He added: "Geographically and with his family, his personal life and his professional life we need to have a chat. It can't just be decided on a whim. We need to talk about it properly, which we will."
The 21-year-old, who was on non-contract terms at non-league St Albans, has impressed manager John Still having spent time training with the Daggers.
Still said: "He is a winger who was recommended to us. We brought him in to have a look at him and he's done very well since arriving so we've signed him up on a long contract.
"He is a young and hungry player who can become another exciting Dagger."
Shields, who plays on the right side of midfield, has not been registered in time to play at Morecambe on Tuesday night.
