Former Blue Connor Wickham has again been linked with a return to Portman Road on loan. The 19-year-old will reportedly be allowed to move on loan if Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill secures the signing of another striker with Town perhaps his destination.

Wickham was mentioned in connection with a possible return to Portman Road on loan in May when both manager Paul Jewell and chief executive Simon Clegg said they would be interested if he was available.

Jewell also confirmed that the Blues had first refusal, although said a loan deal might not be an easy one to do: "We have first say on Connor as part of the deal that took him to Sunderland, although there are other factors regarding wages that will make it difficult for any Championship club to take him.”

Wickham joined Sunderland from Town last summer for an initial fee of £8.1 million but made only six starts and 13 sub appearances last season, scoring one goal.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have announced that they expect Blues target George Friend to formally join them on Monday having agreed personal terms after undergoing a medical.

Another reported Town target, former Dundee United midfielder Scott Robertson, has joined Blackpool on a two-year deal.

Elsewhere, ex-Blue David Norris has completed his move from Portsmouth to Leeds, signing a three-year contract.

Photo: Action Images

daniel9624 added 10:14 - Jul 28 Think the more important stroy is Ron Vlaar going to Villa and hopefully ending their interest in Cressy!
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jas0999 added 10:19 - Jul 28 Would prefer to have a permanent signing - building a team for the future. Wickham would however be a good signing - IF on a season long loan. Anything less does not help with consistency. Andrews is a classic example - did well for three months, then he was gone - not to be seen again - leaving a big hole. If we do get Wickham on a loan deal - would not expect any more loanees. Two would be more than enough.

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itfcserbia added 10:45 - Jul 28 daniel - Vlaar is a centre back, and a right sided cb too... i don't think that's gonna end their interest in Cressy... hopefully we'll keep him though...
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Michael11 added 10:57 - Jul 28 Yes please. Fits the mould of the big strong striker that PJ wants and a lot less injury prone than Davies!
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clive_baker added 11:08 - Jul 28 If there is one deal I would like to see us do it's Wickham. If we get him back on a season long loan we will be a force next season. No side in the division will want to come up against a Chopra / Wickham partnership, not to mention JET, Martin, Bullard etc and the exciting young players we have here at the moment. Oh and a proper keeper!! Also, Norris must have the best agent in football getting him a 3 year deal at Leeds.

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Mark added 11:22 - Jul 28 I would be pleased to see Wickham join on a season's loan (as well as Davies, not instead of him!) as I think he could add to our attacking options and indeed replace Murphy. For Connor's own sake, I hope his Premier League moves doesn't mess up his career. He was developing nicely with Ipswich, with 13 goals in 65 league appearances. Then at Sunderland he scores 1 goal in just 15 appearances. For England's sake, we can't have young stars like him sitting around - they need to be playing to get the experience to develop!

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chepstowblue added 11:32 - Jul 28 Im with ITFCJAY,does not live up to the hype,didnt prove himself good enough for us the 1st time around and a comical sum of money paid for him. Id accept his return as its his true ability level but it would not excite me at all.I know a few Sunderland fans who still shake their heads in disbelief when i ask of his progress!!
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bigolconnor added 11:41 - Jul 28 Connor is an amazing talent he brushes aside defenders with years of experience. If he played a whole season with us I almost guarantee that he would score at least 15 goals. I also think that we could probably negotiate a buy back for something like £4 million. He is definitely worth that. Connor is the greatest player on the planet. Just sayin
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ITFCforlife added 12:07 - Jul 28 I would take him but only if we dont get Davis. They can both play on the wing or as a CF. Davis is proven but always injured. Would be amazing if we could also agree a buy clause for the end of the season so if it goes well hes a permanent part of our team, if it doesnt go well then no worries. No more loan players though please.
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DurhamTownFan added 12:54 - Jul 28 Further evidence that Wickham should have waited a while longer before leaving. You can't blame him for taking a chance and Town for accepting the money, but half a good season doesn't prove much. Didn't do Bent any harm to stay with us for a bit while learning the trade! Would welcome him back, for sure!
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dirtydingusmagee added 13:29 - Jul 28 bigolconnor ''the greatest player on the planet'',we need entertainment at half time ,do you fancy the job as comedian ?COYB
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davidsc1971 added 13:35 - Jul 28 @itfcjay - I'm with you here. He's big and strong but doesn't score often enough for me, at least not yet. I think there are better options out there at the moment with a requirement for a finisher who will chip in with goals to take the pressure off Chopra. This isn't Wickham, despite his history with the club.
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bigolconnor added 13:41 - Jul 28 Dirtydingusmagee that wasn't even my best material. Did you hear about the Norwich fan who was his/her own daughter/ uncle.
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billlm added 15:19 - Jul 28 rather take a risk on davies saw him at derby last season up to playing us hed netted 4 in 5 i think so watched him a bit it was 0 0 but hes a clever footballer its just his injury records a worry but a better all round player than wickham
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TimmyH added 16:07 - Jul 28 Not too many loanees please, maybe only on a season long loan and can't have Connor and Heskey in the same team.
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Taricco_Fan added 21:03 - Jul 28 I'd rather we focus on bringing in permanent signings.
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Talbs77 added 20:30 - Jul 29 Would love to see the boy back here.
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Edmunds5 added 03:31 - Jul 30 Would definitely take him back for the season, i think if he was given a full season he would get 10-15 goals and with someone like Chopra who will almost definitely bag at least 15 then we would have a top strike force, Connor has a big presence which will be a nightmare and he's shows by the goal against Sheff Utd that he can play a bit. Not sure how he could fit into a 4-2-3-1, you can't play him wide left and drifting in because he wouldn't be able to influence the game as much, hopefully there is something in this.

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