Fleetwood Town have agreed a deal to sign Zak Jules from Milton Keynes Dons according to Football Insider.

The 24-year-old will go some way to filling the void left behind by James Hill, who signed for Bournemouth earlier in the window, after struggling to establish himself in the starting XI under Liam Manning this season.

Jules would be the third signing this month for the Cod Army as they look to pull away from the third tier relegation picture in joining Ellis Harrison and Harvey Macadam as new recruits within the squad.

Jules was picked up by the Dons in February 2021 from Walsall but has only made six league starts this term in Manning's men's top six push.

Fleetwood are just two points above the relegation zone, but with three wins in their last five they will be looking up towards mid table rather than over their shoulders.

Jules played largely in a three at the back system at Walsall and MK so it will be interesting to see how he adapts to Stephen Crainey's four at the back formation.

The Cod Army have cut back on their transfer market spending in the last year or so, which has played a role in them falling away from being regular top six contenders but certainly has the club better placed looking at their longer term financial stability.

The Verdict

Jules would represent a smart piece of business for Fleetwood, there will be a significant fee involved with the 24-year-old's contract expiring at the end of next season but Jules has a lot of development left ahead of him to justify that.

It is no slight on his ability, that Manning has preferred other options as ball playing defenders this season given how well MK Dons have performed compared to the challenges that Fleetwood will face in the coming months.

Crainey's men are lacking depth at centre back and Jules should be available to play more or less week in week out for the remainder of the campaign, increasing their chances of fending off the bottom four conversation in the short term.

The Cod Army have been one of the best attacking teams in the bottom half of League One this season and therefore if they can tighten up it feels likely that they will build on the gap between them and the relegation zone.