SUNDERLAND and Coventry City are looking to snap up Ipswich Town's unsettled midfielder Darren Currie.Coventry first enquired about Currie a couple of weeks ago but now look ready to firm up an offer for the 31-year-old winger.

By Derek Davis

SUNDERLAND and Coventry City are looking to snap up Ipswich Town's unsettled midfielder Darren Currie.

Coventry first enquired about Currie a couple of weeks ago but now look ready to firm up an offer for the 31-year-old winger.

Ipswich are understood to want around the £250,000 they paid Brighton for Currie who will be available to leave as a free agent next summer. He will also be allowed to talk to new suitors from January.

Although Currie was offered a new deal in the summer the terms were unacceptable and he reluctantly decided to reject it. He has found himself unable to command a regular starting place under Jim Magilton and that has alerted other clubs to his potential availability, with a number showing interest. The Sky Blues and the Black Cats are believed to be lining up bids of around £100,000.

Sunderland are keen to add quality to their line-up after four defeats has left them bottom of the table.

Leeds United expressed their interest in Currie in the summer with a part-exchange involving Dan Harding mooted. Harding has since joined Ipswich as part of the £400,000 deal that took Ian Westlake to Elland Road.

Crystal Palace are understood to have also shown an interest and it is possible that could be revived as the Blues would be interested in a player swap, with Jon Macken a loan target.

Jim Magilton is reported to have also asked about Dougie Friedman, Michael Hughes and Gary Borrowdale, and has confirmed he is interested in taking Liverpool reserve team striker Neil Mellor on loan.

City boss Micky Adams was rejected by Ipswich after putting in a £200,000 bid for Sam Parkin, who is now weighing up offers from Preston and Luton.

Although Ipswich have agreed a fee of around £300,000 with a further £200,000 to follow depending on appearances, the Blues striker is holing out for better personal terms.

If nothing can be agreed today Parkin will be in Jim Magilton's squad to face Peterborough in a potential banana skin League Cup clash at London Road tomorrow.