Town are understood to be the favourites to sign out-of-favour Blackburn Rovers striker Luke Varney on an emergency loan.

With Noel Hunt having picked up a knee injury which is set to sideline him for at least a few games - although Town are yet confirm the precise length of his expected absence - and David McGoldrick having been out with a thigh problem, the Blues are short of fit strikers going into the back to back home games against Reading and Birmingham.

Varney, who was initially mentioned in connection with a move to Town earlier in the week, is certain to leave Ewood Park and was close to a move to Millwall prior to the transfer window closing.

Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday also understood to have shown interest but Town are understood to have won the race.

The 32-year-old started his career with Crewe and has subsequently had spells with Charlton, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Blackpool, Portsmouth and Leeds before joining Rovers in the summer following a loan at the end of last season.

The Leicester-born 5ft 11in tall striker has made only one start - in the Capital One Cup in August - and 13 sub appearances during 2014/15.

Photo: Action Images

alfromcol added 00:13 - Feb 19 Moan, moan, moan. It's all you hear from some on here. Leave it to MM, he hasn't failed us yet.
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bluemikey100 added 00:36 - Feb 19 all about our return to premiership victory parade ON THE BUSES lol
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ChrisR added 01:42 - Feb 19 So where is Paul Taylor costing the club £10,000 per week ?
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arablue added 02:39 - Feb 19 Surely Marcus can (and should) splash some serious cash for an all-out push for promotion. Look at Derby, now benefitting from having the likes of D Bent; definitely costly but investment for his signing worth hundreds (thousands) fold if Derby gets promoted..
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kingcarloss added 07:00 - Feb 19 Marcus Evans cannot splash big money on signings, I wish he could but falling foul of FFP is not in his or clubs remit. I know those who have will only get a wrist tapping for buying promotion and any fine will be peanuts compared to the millions premier league footy will bring. Frustrating as hell but let's see what MM & TC can get out of Varney for me when I've seen him he's been a right pain in the aris against us and has a decent strike on him. In Mick we trust remember.

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krizz00 added 07:24 - Feb 19 arablue - the key word in your post is "if"
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BrettenhamBlue added 07:56 - Feb 19 Chris R Good point about Paul Taylor. If his wages were freed up we could definitely bring in someone that is more likely to offer a threat up-front. Been examining videos and forums on Varney. He is fairly quick and is exceptionally good at winning penalties. Apart from that: can't say impressed. Just hope MM can get the very best out of him.
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titanicclown added 08:08 - Feb 19 Got to put this into context fellas. 3rd or 4th place striker while Didz and Hunt are out. Mick knows exactly what he wants; character and experience. Varney has both these qualities. In Mick we trust
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oldegold added 08:24 - Feb 19 Looks like that sounds the death knell for Jack Marriott, young and promising and chomping at the bit.Do we really need another loan player..of course not! Hopefully this one won't go through. Invest in our young players MM please!
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Ipswich58 added 08:47 - Feb 19 Favourites to sign him? A bottom of the barrel signing if it goes ahead. Why get did of Sammom who was pretty ordinary with another huff and puffer who couldn't trap a bag of cement it seems. Surely we can do better than this. Attacking goal scoring midfielder is what we've needed for three years. Poverty of ambition in transfer market makes me seethe.
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brittaniaman added 08:52 - Feb 19 It is a good job that Murphy is allowed to play with a nose protector these next games, otherwise we would be in a Buggers muddle !!!!!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 08:59 - Feb 19 No onewants Paul Taylor because he's crap and trouble, Give the guy a chance, hes comming to hastle defenders be a nuicance and get under the skin. We have pace if we need it, sears, the new chap (o'connor?), stewart
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Murphys_Law added 09:04 - Feb 19 Brittaniaman thats a good point, Varney is cover specifically for Murphy and nothing more and as such i think he would be a sensible addition to the squad. In any combination of Murphy, Didsy and Sears we have a strike force that will frighten most defences.
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RaymondovicBlue added 09:09 - Feb 19 I admit it - I know nothing of this guy ... But For those calling for young PL striker on loan instead ... please think about what we are doing here.... We are signing COVER ... ie benchwarmers unless there is injury (OR unless form hits such a rich vein that they force their way in ) NO PL CLUB will let their youth out to sit on a bench ... the whole idea is that they will need games and we cannot offer them that with Murphs in such good form My view is that - even IF we sign Varney - he will only be seen in our team if there is major injury OR he turns out to be brilliant Either way - he'll be needed ! Why is this such bad business .... IF it happens??

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walberswicks added 09:13 - Feb 19 Thanks MM. We are the new Barnsley.
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brittaniaman added 09:14 - Feb 19 Somebody mentioned Paul Taylor sitting at home drawing £10.000 a week !! what a waste of money !! Well just IF he was brought back in to the fold (not very likely) he would not be fit because he has had not played football for months !! so he would need pre-season training, probably why nobody is scrambling to take him on loan ??? I also wonder what he done to upset Steve Evans at Rotherham ????

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PJH added 09:15 - Feb 19 Not quite as much negativity as there was before the proposed Noel Hunt loan in November so maybe some have learnt to (1) wait and see if it happens (2)wait and see if it is a good move. One thing that we can be sure of is that he will only be coming in if MM thinks he is right for the club.
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Bergholtblue added 09:23 - Feb 19 With all this talk about his penalty winning attributes, with Didsy out, who will the penalty taker be? Murphy? When did we last have a penalty? We don't seem to get many.
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Bergholtblue added 09:26 - Feb 19 Found it! Leeds at Home. I wasn't there for that match.
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walberswicks added 09:35 - Feb 19 In Mick we trust? Is that all you've got? Blind faith? and when we end up 7th or 8th? Come on ME and MM, you've spent £80m to finally get in the top six, and we can only afford a three penny bit cast off?
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BlueandTruesince82 added 09:47 - Feb 19 some people are crying out for attention today lol
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Marcus added 10:03 - Feb 19 Paul Taylor - people are assuming he's a set of numbers on Championship Manager while MM has made it clear he doesn't feel he is part of the squad any more - this clearly hints that MM feels his personality is disruptive. As far as Varney goes, clearly it's as cover for Murphy. We have cover for McGoldrick with Sears and Hunt (when he recovers) but no cover for the target man role.

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walberswicks added 10:10 - Feb 19 isn't there anyone who could improve our team rather someone to sit on the bench as backup?
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PJH added 10:18 - Feb 19 walberswicks-your team have just signed Dorrans haven't they? Do you think that he will improve it?
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warktheline added 10:31 - Feb 19 Stop giving walberswick air time guys, you're feeding him what he wants, reaction! I posted much the same on last recruitment, it's no big deal, if he produces, then great, if not he'll be moved on. Comments on pedigree of player are valid, but this at present appears to be 'the Ipswich way'. Let's hope Mick and TC can get something extra from him, that's if he does come!!!!

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