TWTD understands that Town are continuing talks with Leeds United regarding the move for striker Billy Sharp we revealed this morning. The 28-year-old is out of favour at Elland Road, having joined them on a two-year deal last summer.

The Blues are likely to be keen to agree a loan deal, but the Whites may want Sharp, who has made only nine starts and nine sub appearances, scoring two goals, off their books permanently.

Sharp started his career with hometown club Sheffield United but made only two senior sub appearances before moving on to Rushden and Diamonds in January 2005.

The striker impressed with the Northamptonshire club and six months later joined Scunthorpe.

His goalscoring form for the Iron won him a move back to the Blades in the summer of 2007 but again having failed to make his mark at Bramall Lane, he moved out on loan to Doncaster before signing a permanent deal at the Keepmoat Stadium in September 2009.

Town boss Paul Jewell repeatedly tried to sign Sharp in the summer of 2011 but he remained with the South Yorkshire club.

In November that year, Sharp received an ovation from the Town support after he scored at Portman Road soon after the death of his newborn son Luey, something the frontman later described as a “special thing”.

Sharp subsequently moved on to Southampton in January 2012 before loan spells at Nottingham Forest, Reading and back at Doncaster prior to joining Leeds in August last year. The Whites handed the Saints £600,000 to cover paying up his contract at St Mary's.

Town boss Mick McCarthy is still keen to add to his striking options, despite having signed Colchester’s Freddie Sears earlier today with David McGoldrick a doubt ahead of tomorrow’s game at Millwall due to a knee injury.

Sharp could be involved in the Town squad for the Millwall game if a loan deal is agreed by noon tomorrow.

Photo: Action Images

ElephantBlue added 15:14 - Jan 16 Think we have a real chance with Sears and sharp coming off the Bench rather than sammon and Bajner. Any one say improved goal threat.
4

Garv added 15:16 - Jan 16 Wouldn't one say Sharp and Sears are very similar players?
1

JWM added 15:16 - Jan 16 Just heard Sharp is having a medical and will be a Town player today!
4

PJH added 15:18 - Jan 16 Yes Garv, they both score goals!
3

Orraman added 15:20 - Jan 16 Can't believe all the negativity towards Didz on this story and on the Sears signing story. The guy has had two or three poor games and all strikers, even at the highest level, go through sticky spells. Just remember some of the great moments Didz has treated us to. It seems that a lot of comments on these stories indicate that they now have two new best friends and Didz is yesterday's man. He got a knock against Southampton so why risk him further injury. At least now, whether Sharp comes or not we can give him a break and take him out of the firing line of some short memoried supporters. A great defence, the very promising Bru and Bishop along with 'Cool' Skuse in midfield and any two from Murphy, McGoldrick, Sears and Sharp up front - what's not to like? With the 2 Hunts, Tabb and Parr, not leaving Hyam out in the cold, we are now preparing for the final assault on promotion

13

Lolocaust6 added 15:21 - Jan 16 hopefully he can stab a few balls in the goal
2

xJoe_King added 15:22 - Jan 16 I agree with Blue_Again, Sears and Sharp are good, but we need an established quality midfield player. It was where the Derby game was lost.
3

Razor added 15:23 - Jan 16 Brilliant----just what is needed as team needs pepping up. New midfielder who can actually pass a ball forward and that should get us over the line! COYB!!
3

Razor added 15:23 - Jan 16 Brilliant----just what is needed as team needs pepping up. New midfielder who can actually pass a ball forward and that should get us over the line! COYB!!
0

Razor added 15:23 - Jan 16 Brilliant----just what is needed as team needs pepping up. New midfielder who can actually pass a ball forward and that should get us over the line! COYB!!
-1

Razor added 15:23 - Jan 16 Brilliant----just what is needed as team needs pepping up. New midfielder who can actually pass a ball forward and that should get us over the line! COYB!!
-1

Razor added 15:23 - Jan 16 Brilliant----just what is needed as team needs pepping up. New midfielder who can actually pass a ball forward and that should get us over the line! COYB!!
-1

jpring89 added 15:23 - Jan 16 if we can get sharp and another creative midfielder then wow
2

Razor added 15:23 - Jan 16 Brilliant----just what is needed as team needs pepping up. New midfielder who can actually pass a ball forward and that should get us over the line! COYB!!
-1

Razor added 15:23 - Jan 16 Brilliant----just what is needed as team needs pepping up. New midfielder who can actually pass a ball forward and that should get us over the line! COYB!!
-1

bellazzurri79 added 15:24 - Jan 16 Johnny williams next
2

walberswicks added 15:24 - Jan 16 That's McGoldrick's knee gone......
-1

jabberjackson added 15:33 - Jan 16 We all saw how the hard work of Shane Long unsettled our team on Wednesday - I think that Sharp would give us this quality - I would like to see the deal done. We would unequivocally (one for Mick to use in the next press conference) have goals in our team...
4

Upbeat added 15:42 - Jan 16 Yes peas!
1

tractorgrl added 15:44 - Jan 16 Hope didz is ok, think the old knee is playing up in the cold weather.Welcome to PR Freddie and fingers crossed for Billy Sharp, although last time i saw billy at PR i thought he was a tad unfit so would be awesome from the bench this year
2

suffolkpunchdrunk added 15:46 - Jan 16 Just maybe Sharp/Sears & Murphy up top with McGoldrick the creator behind - potentially awesome!
4

warkonthewildside added 15:46 - Jan 16 How many new midfielders do you think we need Razor?
4

rickw added 15:57 - Jan 16 Yes good competition for the strikers now. Noel Hunt must be gutted with Sears and now hopefully Sharp coming in
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 15:58 - Jan 16 Could be wong but can sear not play in midfield or in the hole as well as up the top
0

Mushcush added 15:58 - Jan 16 McGoaldrick is our most talented player and provides the link between midfield and attack. I think that without him in the side it would really show how our midfield does lack in creativity. If we can keep hold of McGoaldrick and keep Murphy fit then we have a real chance. Sears and Sharp would add a lot more from the bench than others have this year. A wide midfielder with genuine pace wouldn't go amiss.

3

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls