Town keeper-coach Malcolm Webster watched Colchester United lose 1-0 at home to Oldham this afternoon, increasing speculation that the Blues are showing interest in U’s keeper Sam Walker.

Boss Mick McCarthy recently made two trips to catch the Essex side in action with Walker the standout performer on both occasions.

Town supporter Walker, who is 6ft 6in tall, joined the U's on a permanent basis from Chelsea in January following a couple of loan spells, signing an 18-month contract.

The 22-year-old previously spent time on loan with Barnet, Northampton, who he helped to a Capital One Cup victory at Portman Road in 2011, Yeovil and Bristol Rovers.

A youth player with local side Gravesend and Northfleet and then Millwall prior to moving to Chelsea's academy, he won the 2010 FA Youth Cup while at Stamford Bridge but failed to make a senior appearance.

Meanwhile, Blues boss McCarthy and assistant Terry Connor are running the rule over Monday's opponents AFC Bournemouth as they take on Sheffield Wednesday at Dean Court this afternoon.

Photo: Action Images

JimmyJazz added 16:04 - Apr 18 Happy with that, but where's the link with us that makes him a fan? He comes from Gravesend
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sirbenofmorlingshire added 16:23 - Apr 18 I was born in Leicester, grew up in Milton Keynes and now live in Rochester Jimmyjazz, and I'm ITFC through and through, you don't have to be born in an IP postcode to be a Town fan... Maybe family connections like myself is why he's an Ipswich fan, not that it makes a huge difference anyway. I was wondering if we'd be after a new keeper close season, do we think Loach is going maybe?

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Seasider added 16:23 - Apr 18 Interesting Scott Loach got a mention in Harrys report from Watford websites. Think he might be looking to move if he can get first team footy somewhere,similarly with Paul Tylor.
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Bown added 16:24 - Apr 18 get him in
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Bown added 16:32 - Apr 18 loach is going this summer
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colonel added 17:04 - Apr 18 Seen him this year & he's been pretty impressive
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HKBlue added 17:13 - Apr 18 I do assume this would be back up unless he's such a talent? I'm not sure if i speak alone but Gerken has saved us points countless of times and not to be brown nosing anyone but i don't believe he has gotten enough credit. Still don't get me wrong I welcome Walker with open arms as hard this is for me to say and I feel for Loachy being a local lad but he hasn't quite shown why he should be number 1. Roll on the good times! Coyb

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bluefeast added 17:24 - Apr 18 Hes tall.
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WeirdFishes added 17:38 - Apr 18 Very highly rated, would be an excellent number 2 if he is, wouldn't surprise me if he was to be our number 1.
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mow_the_lawn added 18:03 - Apr 18 He'd be a good number 2 although I'm sure he'd rather be playing. I wouldn't be surprised if we let Loach move on, got an old 3rd choice keeper to sit on the bench and then get a young potential number 2 (if not Walker someone else) and loan them out for a season. Only 12 months left so wouldn't break the bank but would involve actually paying money for a player for a change!

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RegencyBlue added 18:07 - Apr 18 Replacement for Loach I would guess who is presumably not happy as No2 to Gerken?
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Bown added 18:17 - Apr 18 maybe a swap for loach
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Jimmy86 added 18:35 - Apr 18 This lad was at chelsea and although was loaned out a few times, he must have something about him to have started out at chelsea, big guy at 6 ft 6 and so ud think he is commanding of his box. Remember he produced a wonder save against JET, when he tried 1 of his blockbuster 30 yarders!!!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 19:03 - Apr 18 Take it. Loach is solid but I think gerks is better. I have faith in Scott to do a job but is he pushing gerks enough? I think a swap would be great but could Colchester afford loach and would he drop down? A few seasons ago everyone was saying he would play for England and he's not old. Ithink there will be lots of interest from other clubs. Taylor will blatantly go back to posh. I see him spending next year on loan with them.

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Mark added 19:42 - Apr 18 Sounds an interesting link, although we should only buy him if he has a real chance of first team football as a 22-year-old should not swap regular football for a season on the subs bench. Gerken has had a good season, but if Walker could provide him real competition for his place it could be a good thing. Loach should probably move on for the sake of his own career.
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william121 added 19:49 - Apr 18 I'm from Scotland and I'm an Ipswich fan through and through. And I try my best to get to every home game !
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JimmyJazz added 21:52 - Apr 18 My point is where's the back story to being a fan? if you meet a fellow Town fan who has no obvious link to East Anglia aren't you curious enough to ask how they came to be a Town fan, I know I would. The guy is 22 so it's not as if he admired us during the SBR days
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theobald1985 added 22:00 - Apr 18 would be a good signing. gerkin has made some good saves but has also cost us points and having seen walker a few times he should deffo be number 1 if he comes here. col u got him on a free in january so not sure why we did not try and get him in then for nothing. still feel sorry for loach he started as number 1 was then dropped after a couple of mistakes but DG has made countless errors and is never dropped-loach even was man of the match and was dropped straight after. i think its a personal issue with mick the same as with taylor

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yorksblue added 11:22 - Apr 19 Its not kids we need, it's experience, if we're to make any progress over the next season. As I've said before, there are decent keepers out there, not getting a look in, such as Given & Davis, or we could get Buckland on a season loan.
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