The chances of Carlisle United forward Hallam Hope joining Swindon are growing, sources in Wiltshire have told the News & Star.

Hope is understood to have been targeted by the League Two leaders.

And the 25-year-old could now leave Brunton Park in a transfer window move.

United have not responded to the growing speculation over the Barbados international's future.

Swindon, though, are looking to add forwards having now seen ex-Blues frontman Jerry Yates recalled by parent club Rotherham today.

That move - a fate Carlisle suffered at a similar stage with Yates last season - follows top scorer Eoin Doyle's recall by Bradford.

They were strongly linked with Hope last summer and sources in Swindon have told us manager Richie Wellens remains an admirer of the forward.

Hope has made 30 appearances this season and scored three goals, having been their 15-goal top scorer in 2018/19.

Wellens has told the Swindon Advertiser that he was "close" to a deal for an attacking player, who he described as "not an out-and-out striker but a forward-thinking player".

United rejected bids in the summer for Hope, who is out of contract at the end of the season and believed to be one of the Blues' highest-paid players.

Several months ago the former Everton and Bury man had indicated a willingness to leave Carlisle if a suitable offer came in from a club where he felt he could further his career, the attacker also keen to play at a higher level.

If United sell Hope now they will be expected to move to replace the forward, with the Cumbrians in need of extra attacking threat in their bid to get out of League Two relegation danger.

They are the second-lowest scorers in the division with 24 goals from 27 games.

The Blues are continuing their efforts to add to their four January signings so far, but have not responded to speculation they approached Barrow for 17-goal midfielder John Rooney.

It is understood United are the club referred to by the National League leaders when manager Ian Evatt criticised what they said was a derisory offer for one of their players.

Evatt did not name club or player but 29-year-old Rooney, younger brother of Wayne, was understood to be the individual concerned.

Evatt told The Mail: "I don’t how much I should be saying here, but we had a ridiculous, ludicrous, in fact embarrassing, bid for one of our players last week from a club close by that was insulting.

"I’m not going to name names about who it was for and who it was from, but we aren’t giving players away, we aren’t tin pot, we are a proper football team, a proper football club, with magnificent supporters, that are going places.

“It you want to come and take our players, good luck, I hope you’ve got a few million in the bank.”