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Town to Join Lita Race? - Ipswich Town News

TWTD understands that Reading striker and former Norwich City loanee Leroy Lita is on Jim Magilton's list of potential January signings. The Blues look certain to add to their striking ranks during the transfer window with Hull City's Dean Windass linked with a loan move earlier today.

Lita impressed during his loan spell with the Canaries, scoring seven goals in 16 starts, before returning to the Royals at the end of December and playing in Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Cardiff.

A return to Norwich looks out of the question with Reading turning down a sizeable loan bid from the Canaries for the 25-year-old former Bristol City man, but another move away from the Madejski Stadium looks likely, either on a permanent or loan basis.

If Town firm up their interest in the powerful 5ft 7in tall striker then they will face opposition from a number of other clubs with West Brom, Newcastle, Everton and Sheffield United all linked in recent weeks.

Reading's director of football Nicky Hammond says his club are yet to receive an offer for Lita, but admitted that the striker, whose contract is up at the end of the season, could move on: "Leroy has been out getting games and scoring goals

"At the moment he is back here training and the challenge for him is to try to get his place back. But I wouldn't rule anything out.”

Meanwhile, TWTD has also learnt that Town coach Bryan Klug watched Watford take on Scunthorpe in the FA Cup at Vicarage Road on Saturday. Klug's regular place on the Blues bench was taken by new assistant manager John Gorman during the 3-0 victory over Chesterfield, as is expected to be the case from now on.

Town have previously been linked with Watford defender Adrian Mariappa, while Hornets midfielder John-Joe O'Toole was hugely impressive against the Blues earlier in the season and may well have caught the eye of the watching Town management.

The 6ft 2in tall 20-year-old Irish international is currently being linked with a move to Wolves.

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