Ipswich Town are carefully considering loan moves for young duo Martin Samuelsen and Adam Armstrong ahead of the transfer window closing next Wednesday.

Blues boss Mick McCarthy and assistant Terry Connor both watched the pair in action on Monday night as West Ham faced Newcastle in an Under-23 match.

Hammers teenager Samuelsen, 19, is a versatile attacking midfielder who plays primarily on the left – a position which the Blues are most keen to strengthen and have identified several targets.

Quick, direct and with plenty of tricks, the Norwegian dazzled for Peterborough during a loan spell in League One last season, but McCarthy is weighing up whether Samuelsen would provide the necessary work-rate he demands from his players.

Newcastle striker Armstrong, also 19, was another who starred during a loan spell in the third-tier last season when he scored 20 goals for Tony Mowbray’s Coventry City.

The England Under-19 international came off their bench for his hometown club in their opening two games, but has since been made available by boss Rafa Benitez.

It remains to be seen whether the Magpies will want to lend him to a divisional rival, while there is also the issue of whether Armstrong fits the bill in terms of what type of striker Town are looking for. A 4-3-3 formation has worked well in the recent draws against Wolves and Norwich, with target man Daryl Murphy integral to this system. And with the 33-year-old’s work load being carefully managed this season, a player with similar attributes is wanted as back-up alongside Brett Pitman.

Well-travelled front man and free agent Leon Best, 29, is currently on trial and would fit that bill, though he must prove his worth first after being released by Rotherham.

Another issue being carefully considered by the Town staff is getting the balance between youth and experience right for the months ahead. Nine of the Blues’ 21 first-team outfield players are aged 23 or younger.

With no emergency loan window available to Football League clubs this season, there is set to be a flurry of transfer activity ahead of next Wednesday’s 11pm deadline.

Cameron Stewart, Piotr Malarczyk and Giles Coke are all on the transfer list and could be heading for the Portman Road exit door.