Town closing in on Striker

[Bluemike]

Town are understood to be close to signing Rotherham United striker Danny Ward. Speaking on Thursday, boss Mick McCarthy said he was hopeful of making an addition to his squad early in the transfer window.

The 26-year-old, who scored twice for the Millers in the 2-2 draw with the Blues at Portman Road in October, is out of contract in the summer and bottom-of-the-table Rotherham, who look odds-on to drop into League One, are believed to be willing to accept a fee of around £500,000 for the striker, who would otherwise leave on a free transfer in the summer.

Ward was a schoolboy with hometown club Bradford before joining the Leeds youth set-up and then moving on to Bolton. While with the Trotters he made two senior sub appearances and spent time on loan with Swindon, Coventry and Huddersfield.

He made his move to the Terriers a permanent one in the summer of 2011 for a fee believed to be in the region of £1 million.

Ward was previously targeted by the Blues in 2014 during his time with Huddersfield but he signed a new contract before eventually joining the Millers in January 2015 initially on loan before a fee was agreed and he signed a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Ward, who is naturally left-sided and 5ft 11in tall, has scored nine goals for Rotherham this season.

Speaking after the game at Portman Road, Ward confirmed the 2014 interest from Town: “It was a while ago that McCarthy and the gaffer [then-Millers boss Kenny Jackett] tried to sign me while he was at Wolves and I was at Huddersfield,” he recalled.

“Neither materialised for one reason or another. Nothing got agreed with Ipswich or Wolves.”

As previously reported, the Blues are also believed to be closing in on the loan signing of 22-year-old Fulham striker Cauley Woodrow, who is currently out of favour at Craven Cottage

A decent signing, and it is a SIGNING if it comes off. Nine goals for a poor rotherham side is pretty good.

[hallamblue]

Lawrence replacement?

[Tangfastic]

Lawrence replacement?

The thing is .... Lawrence isn't even ours. Same as Fraser last year.

Hope this guy's a Murphy replacement and I've gone for Wiki stats straight away - 5 ft 11" .

Don't know him, but the loan player from Fulham is taller . What does this say

Feels like Top Trumps .... a Peter Crouch will trump a Messi on height.

[Bluemike]

Lawrnece is here for the season so not a replacement for him.

[herforder]

Wondered, following his impressive performance down here whether MM might go for him. Right sort of player, right sort of price. Hope it happens.

Not sure about the Fulham lad, on loan, though. Higher priorities need addressing!

[hallamblue]

Lawrence replacement?

The thing is .... Lawrence isn't even ours. Same as Fraser last year.

Hope this guy's a Murphy replacement and I've gone for Wiki stats straight away - 5 ft 11" .

Don't know him, but the loan player from Fulham is taller . What does this say

Feels like Top Trumps .... a Peter Crouch will trump a Messi on height.

zip meant as a replacement for Lawrence, next season, when he's left us cos I'm realistic enough to know we won't be able to afford to sign him

[arana peligrosa]

Potentially a worthwhile addition if McCarthy utilizes him enough. Got a decent goal ratio and could prove effective at set-pieces. Will this mean one of our present forwards will be surplus to requirement ? If this Ward kid makes an impression, one or two names could be at risk of being moved on to other employers, such has been their (arguable) ineffectiveness over time.

[charlton837]

I am really positive about this move. And actually am not against Woodrow if he is not our main striking option. I don't know a huge amount about Ward but i was impressed by him at PR in the 2-2 draw. He may not be really tall but he was strong and put himself about and clearly has an eye for goal.

If we pull the moves off will be a great start to the year!

[Tangfastic]

There seems to be a lot of credibility about these two additions. If so, would that mean Varney and/or Best are surplus and we'll aim to offload?

Varney's a MM favourite, but easy to offload as he's a short-term loan. Best's been disappointing. Really needed a Murphy replacement , but he's not filled Murpheys boots. Not surprising really.... bit of a last-minute, knee-jerk signing to Murphy leaving.

[Bluemike]

Yes I reckon Best will definitely be on his way, Varney could follow suit.

[hallamblue]

I think it will be Varney leaving and not Best. Pity .

[Charnwood]

I think it will be Varney leaving and not Best. Pity .

I have it on good authority that Varney would like to stay, so the choice is MM's.

[K L Blue]

I think it will be Varney leaving and not Best. Pity .

I have it on good authority that Varney would like to stay, so the choice is MM's.

I thin it'll be Best that goes, after all Varney has had more games, and Best hasn't set the team alight has he. Having said that you watch both of them get dumped now!

[herforder]

Being linked with Dagenham & Redbridge striker, Oliver Hawkins. 6'2", 24 year old, with a playing career to date at non-league level. Would presumably jump at the chance to join us, and might fit ME's remit to identify and develop potential. However, might not fit MM's desire to bring in C'ship experience. However, if we were to bring in Danny Ward and this young lad on perm deals, then that might represent a good deal for all parties.

[hallamblue]

I expect Mick plans to play him as a CB..... the f ****** useless tool.

[Hyper0blue]

Well Huddersfield have had a bid rejected, so that is us out of the running as we probably bid a fraction of what Huddersfield bid.