Town are understood to be the favourites to sign out-of-favour Blackburn Rovers striker Luke Varney on an emergency loan.

With Noel Hunt having picked up a knee injury which is set to sideline him for at least a few games - although Town are yet confirm the precise length of his expected absence - and David McGoldrick having been out with a thigh problem, the Blues are short of fit strikers going into the back to back home games against Reading and Birmingham.

Varney, who was initially mentioned in connection with a move to Town earlier in the week, is certain to leave Ewood Park and was close to a move to Millwall prior to the transfer window closing.

Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday also understood to have shown interest but Town are understood to have won the race.

The 32-year-old started his career with Crewe and has subsequently had spells with Charlton, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Blackpool, Portsmouth and Leeds before joining Rovers in the summer following a loan at the end of last season.

The Leicester-born 5ft 11in tall striker has made only one start - in the Capital One Cup in August - and 13 sub appearances during 2014/15.

Photo: Action Images

ArnieM added 20:40 - Feb 18 Favourite to sign him. Pls excuse the cynic in me but is tjis because no one else really wants him? Is he really even match fit?
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MarkFish added 20:44 - Feb 18 Whoop whoop. A return to the good ol days. His dad was the driver from on the buses too!!
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kozmik added 20:45 - Feb 18 Not naturally gifted with the ball at his feet, and lacking a decent first touch, balance and the ability to finish, his style of play generally involves winning headers and hassling opposition defenders to create openings for his strike partner. Simulation is also a big part of his game, and he has been challenged publicly by opposition managers in the past for diving in an attempt to win free kicks and penalties - from his Wikipedia page

3

jas0999 added 20:54 - Feb 18 Surely there are better options?
2

northernblues added 20:56 - Feb 18 Some of my work colleagues are Blackburn fans (I work in Lancashire for my sins) they do not rate him and would gladly drive him to suffolk, just too much like salmon for me
1

manualthetisfanclub added 21:01 - Feb 18 Aaaaaaaaah I hate you butler!!!!!!!. Please no, must be better options for a promotion chasing team than this,no disrespect to the fella.
1

Michael11 added 21:03 - Feb 18 I'm not exactly excited about this but at the same time I'm not expecting him to feature much even if we do sign him. I'd prefer to see us sign a younger player with a bit of pace who can change a game, similar to how Freddie Sears has done. We don't seem to have any pace or players who can run at defences and create anything.
3

BlueMachines added 21:15 - Feb 18 @Michael11. Apart from Sears you mean?
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ArnieM added 21:16 - Feb 18 We had that young Irish lad on the bench at Fulham. He has electrifying pace apparently. MM is just acclimatising the lad. Won't be long b4 we have a winger belting down that wing.
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TimmyH added 21:20 - Feb 18 Crikey...so where would he fit in? a back up back up, hopefully McG and Hunt will be back soon but would you call signing him an 'emergency'? Surely quality in the midfield or out on the wing is more urgent!
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Michael11 added 21:32 - Feb 18 @BlueMachines I already put like Freddie Sears has? Freddie's starting games now so who do we have to come on and stretch teams like he did when coming on from the bench? I can't see Varney having that same effect. Apart from Freddie, there is no pace in our entire squad. I thought Cameron Stewart would be an ideal impact sub but Mick obviously doesn't fancy him for whatever reason. Not going to knock Varney before giving him a chance though. I thought Noel Hunt was going to be dreadful, but I've been very pleasantly surprised with him.

2

unknown100 added 21:52 - Feb 18 Would rather a premier league youngster, get a loan, look at the difference in class williams was, must be loads of them waiting in the wings
1

MickMillsTash added 22:09 - Feb 18 Based on the times i have seen him play have thought he was good Leeds at home -think he scored a deflected goal, Blackburn away - general pest. Maybe he played in a Leeds away game as well and was decent Takes up good positions between the centre back and full back and is experienced. Leeds and Blackburn fans I know are not sure about him Could he be the Martyn Reuser signing?

2

muccletonjoe added 22:13 - Feb 18 This is exactly why we should have signed more players in January. We are now very much reliant on virtually everyone staying fit for the next 3months.short sighted in the extreme considering our league position.
4

muhrensleftfoot added 22:13 - Feb 18 Can't say I am thrilled about this. Derby sign Bent on loan & we get Reg Varney. Let's hope Murphy and Sears stay fit and McGoldrick quickly gets fit and back to his best.
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Garv added 22:25 - Feb 18 Varney isn't slow from what I've seen of him. That's all.
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Green_Army added 22:59 - Feb 18 Have faith in whoever Mick brings in lads and get behind the fella! Positivity from fans will produce positive performances from the boys on the pitch!
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GiveusaWave added 23:04 - Feb 18 This would be a very weird signing IF it goes through. Oh dear. We must really be desperate. Surely McQueen etc would be better options from the U21's? Why not bring Bajner back from his loan?
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Lightningboy added 23:07 - Feb 18 Was half decent 4 or 5 years ago but I fear this is Another Connor Sammon style signing. What's the situation with Jonny Williams?..would rather see him back here for the run in.
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BrettenhamBlue added 23:16 - Feb 18 This rumour can't be right. Connor Sammon is way better Lightningboy. Just think it's an incorrect rumour, nothing more.
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Tractastic added 23:17 - Feb 18 Totally underwhelmed by this news and like Chaplow hardly the type of player likely to improve our push for promotion. Surely with our heritage and league position we should be able to pull in better than these two players even in support roles. MM has done an amazing job to date but now finding ourselves in the best position for years I'm disappointed we are not trying to bring in genuine quality to lift the team to the next level. Jonny Williams loan signing proved what a lift a good signing can be to the whole team and clearly Ince and Bent have done this for Derby. Bored with hearing about no money and Fair Play. This is a massive chance for our great club. Let's not blow it Mick.

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JimInGreensboro added 23:17 - Feb 18 Someday, I'd like us to be favourites to sign a favoured lad.
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Warkys_Tash added 23:43 - Feb 18 Bent & Ince have scored 10 goals between them since Derby brought them in Jan.. We are 3 points off the top, surely there is a top draw striker out there?
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marcus139 added 23:54 - Feb 18 Brilliant. We are clearly full of ambition!
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Guthrum added 00:10 - Feb 19 Let's see what Connor and McCarthy can do with this bloke before we write him off.
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