Mick McCarthy is eyeing a new striker, and while a targetman is high on his wishlist, the latest name linked, Harry Bunn, doesn’t necessarily fit that mould. CHRIS BRAMMER looks at Bunn and others that could possibly do a job for the Blues
Harry Bunn - Huddersfield Town (Career appearances: 125; Goals: 19)
Latest striker to be linked with Town, the Blues reported to have made a bid of around £500,000 for the 24-year-old.
Not an out-and-out striker and is not the targetman type McCarthy is keen to bring in, but is versatile and has often played wide in a 4-2-3-1 formation for Huddersfield, so could be more suited to the role often filled by natural striker, Freddie Sears.
James Wilson - Manchester United (Career appearances: 51; Goals: 8)
The 21-year-old is a product of the Old Trafford youth system but is down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho, with Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial ahead of him.
Has spent time in the Championship during loan spells at Derby and Brighton, without ever pulling any trees up, and suffered a knee injury at the former last season, which curtailed his progress.
On his immediate future, he told United’s website: “It depends what comes about really.
“I’ll see what’s happening with the first team because obviously we’ve brought in new signings. I just want to get back into it really, first and foremost keep on top of my legwork as that is the main thing.”
Ivan Toney - Newcastle United (Career appearances: 128; Goals 29)
Young hitman (21) has spent the majority of his Newcastle career out on loan, since signing for the Magpies in 2015, and impressed on-loan at League One Scunthorpe last season, scoring seven times in 17 games.
The Iron, along with League One rivals Wigan are keen to take Toney on another temporary spell but the man, labelled a natural finisher by Newcastle academy coach Peter Beardsley may be ready to take the next step.
Sam Winnall - Sheffield Wednesday (Career appearances: 216; Goals: 83)
Winnall (26) only signed for the Owls from Barnsley, for an undisclosed fee, in January, but appears to be well down the pecking order at Hillsborough, with Fernando Forestieri, Gary Hooper, Steven Fletcher and Jordan Rhodes ahead of him in Carlos Carvalhal’s squad.
Scored 11 goals before the New Year in his first season in the Championship, and netted three goals in 15 games for the Owls, despite being in and out of the squad.
Excellent in the air, Winnall is prolific given the right service.
Gary Madine - Bolton Wanderers (Career appearances: 271; Goals: 63)
Played in the Championship with Blackburn, Bolton, Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday, but scored most of his goals at League One level.
Not the most prolific in the second tier, but has all the attributes a targetman needs.
Cauley Woodrow - Fulham (Career appearances: 103; Goals: 21)
The 22-year-old was on Mick McCarthy’s hit-list last season, but eventually moved to Burton Albion on-loan until the end of the season, and helped the Brewers stay in the Championship, scoring five times in 14 appearances.
Woodrow has scored 12 goals in 65 games for the Cottagers, for whom he has been mainly utilised as a substitute.
Conor Washington - QPR (Career appearances: 200; Goals: 43)
The 25-year-old was thought to be close to sealing a move to Ipswich a year ago, having fell out of favour under former boss Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink.
The R’s signed the Northern Ireland international from Peterborough for £2.5m, following fruitful spells at Newport County and Posh, and the former non-league man has been praised by new Loftus Road chief, Ian Holloway.
However, that hasn’t stopped Washington, known for his ability to play off the shoulder of defenders, being linked with Harry Redknapp’s Birmingham City this summer and the west London team may be tempted to cash in.
Joe Mason - Wolves (Career appearances: 235; Goals: 52)
Striker who stands at 5ft 10ins, scored four goals in 23 games at Wolves last season.
Has struggled to get a run of games at Wolves, with injuries and managerial changes blighting his time at Molineux, however that hasn’t stopped Nottingham Forest, QPR and Bristol City being linked with the £1.2m-rated 26-year-old.
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