Town are reported to be one of a number of clubs keen on signing Reading striker Dominic Samuel on loan.
According to HITC Sport the Blues are one of six clubs interesting in landing the 22-year-old and are said to be leading the chase. Southend United had previously been linked.
Southwark-born Samuel came through the Reading academy and has made eight starts and eight sub appearances for the Royals first team, scoring twice, in addition to loan spells at Colchester, Dagenham and Redbridge, Coventry and Gillingham.
Capped three times by the England U19s, scoring two goals, 6ft 2in tall Samuel netted six goals in 12 starts and one sub appearance for the Sky Blues during the second half of their 2014/15 League One campaign and then seven times in 24 starts and one sub appearance for the Gills between November 2015 and the end of last season, also in League One.
Prior to those spells he had made only two appearances with the U's and one with the Daggers, both without scoring.
Speaking about his plans for Samuel a few days ago, Reading manager Jaap Stam told getreading: "I think several teams are interested in Dom but we need to make a decision about that," said the manager.
"Because if you let somebody go you need to have somebody in as well. We know Dominic's quality, he's got ability which can help us out.
"But he is still a young player and needs to learn a lot, and for him it's very good if he can play week in, week out to develop.”
Speaking yesterday, Town boss Mick McCarthy confirmed that he would be continuing his search for a striker to replace Daryl Murphy during the final day of the window."
The Blues, who have previously targeted Rotherham’s Danny Ward, Preston’s Jordan Hugill and Barnsley’s Marley Watkins among others, would ideally want a permanent signing but may have to settle for a loan having been unable to agree a fee for a longer term addition.