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Town Eyeing Norwich Striker - Ipswich Town News

Norwich City striker Aaron Wilbraham is understood to be on Paul Jewell’s list of potential January signings. The 32-year-old frontman has rarely been used since joining the Canaries a year ago from the MK Dons for an undisclosed fee reported to be £75,000.

While the Knutsford-born player doesn’t appear to be in line with manager Paul Jewell’s stated aim of bringing in younger players during this transfer window, the Blues appear short of a big striker in the mould of 6ft 3in tall Wilbraham, who is likely to be available for a nominal fee with his contract up in the summer.

After a spell in Manchester City’s youth set-up, Wilbraham began his senior career with Stockport, going out on loan to Moss FK in Norway during seven years at Edgeley Park, prior to a £100,000 July 2004 switch to Hull City.

After failing to nail down a place in a year with the Tigers, including a month on loan at Oldham, Wilbraham moved on to the MK Dons on a free transfer the following summer.

Following a spell on loan at Bradford in the 2005/06 campaign, Wilbraham helped his parent side to the 2007/08 League Two title.

A record of 57 goals in 153 starts and 43 sub appearances for the Dons, for whom he also played in central midfield, led to his switch to Norwich.

However, the man nicknamed ‘Alby’ has made only seven starts and nine sub appearances since moving to Norfolk, including today’s FA Cup victory over Burnley, netting once.

Town are also understood to have been monitoring Canaries midfielder Andrew Crofts this season, however, with the Welshman having kept his place in the Norwich side since their promotion, a move for the 27-year-old looks unlikely.

Blues boss Paul Jewell has been looking for a holding midfielder in the style of Crofts since the summer.

Meanwhile, Town representatives have been spotted at Luton recently, running the rule over left winger or left-back Jake Howells, who was previously linked in April.

The 20-year-old Hemel Hempstead-born Wales U21 international is out of contract at the end of the season.

Photo: Action Images

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