Tabloid newspapers are linking striker Darren Bent with a summer move to Sunderland. The Black Cats are also reported to have agreed a deal with Waterford United for Town target Daryl Murphy.

Sunderland, confirmed as Championship winners on Friday, are claimed to be after a host of players in the close season with Birmingham frontman Clinton Morrison and Preston midfielder Dixon Etuhu also said to be targets.

Bent, who has one year left on his contract, is expected to leave Portman Road in the summer if the Blues don't go up, having told TWTD back in December that he would probably have to consider a move if Town face another season in the Championship.

Murphy, an Irish U21 international, has had trials with both the Blues and the Black Cats and Joe Royle has said he will aim to sign the 22-year-old in the summer, a price of around £100,000 having apparently been asked by Waterford.

Mick McCarthy also seems to have been impressed with former Luton trainee Murphy and, according to reports in an Irish tabloid this weekend, has agreed a fee of £65,000 with the Eircom League side ahead of a move when the transfer window opens in June.

However, a similar story appeared in the Irish press last weekend and was immediately denied by Waterford.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls