Town's planned loan swoop for Portsmouth striker David Nugent will at best be delayed after the England frontman suffered a new injury in training. The 22-year-old has picked up a groin strain and has been ruled out of Pompey's weekend game with Sunderland.

Nugent has been out of action for the last four games having undergone hernia surgery but had returned to training and was approaching full fitness until his latest set-back, which isn't considered a serious problem.

Yesterday, Blues boss Jim Magilton admitted he had asked Portsmouth about Nugent's availability, but depending on the length of the striker's latest lay-off, the Town manager may now look elsewhere for a loan addition to his squad.

Magilton also admitted that he would consider a move for his former Northern Ireland colleague David Healy from Fulham if he was unable to bring Nugent to Portman Road.

Preston, from whom Pompey signed Nugent for £7 million in the summer, have also made a loan enquiry regarding the Merseyside-born frontman.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls