Newcastle United are keen to sign Town striker Daryl Murphy before the transfer window closes on Wednesday, TWTD understands.
Murphy, 33, was first linked with the Magpies in July, reports the Irish international subsequently dismissed as speculation.
However, we understand that the North-East club are now showing strong interest in the Waterford-born frontman, who signed a two-year contract with an option for a further season with the Blues last summer.
Town would be looking for a significant fee for one of their key players, despite Murphy’s age, and would want to add a direct replacement for their number nine before Wednesday’s deadline with Championship clubs now no longer able to sign players on emergency loans.
We understand that the Blues have shown interest in taking 19-year-old Newcastle youngster Adam Armstrong on loan, however, the 5ft 8in tall striker, who scored 20 goals in 38 starts and two sub appearances while on loan in League One with Coventry last season, is not a similar player to Murphy and has played only a few minutes of football at Championship level.
Speaking yesterday Town boss Mick McCarthy said he was looking to add players with Championship experience as he feels his squad already includes a number of more youthful players.
Murphy, whose first English club was Newcastle's great rivals Sunderland, initially joined the Blues for the first of three loan spells under Roy Keane's management in 2010 before signing permanently from Celtic in the summer of 2013.
In the 2014/15 campaign he topped the Championship scoring charts with 27 goals as the Blues reached the play-offs.
Last season the 23-times-capped Republic of Ireland striker netted a more modest 10 in an injury-affected campaign and he is yet to get off the mark this season, having had what looked to be a perfectly good goal ruled out at Wolves.
In total, Murphy has scored 67 goals in 207 starts and 18 substitute appearances for Town.
As things stand at present, we understand that Murphy is in the Town squad for Saturday’s home game against Preston.