Championship rivals Cardiff City are set to beat Ipswich Town in the race to sign Rotherham United striker Danny Ward, according to The Sun.

It’s understood that the Blues made a seven-figure bid for Ward in the January transfer window, with Millers chairman Tony Stewart revealing they had turned down offers in excess of £2m for the player.

Prior to Town’s trip to The New York Stadium towards the end of the season, McCarthy refused to rule out a fresh approach for Ward this summer.

Ward, who scored twice in a 2-2 draw at Portman Road last October, impressed in the return fixture before going off injured just before half-time. Town’s players rushed to show their concern, sparking further speculation that a move was on the cards.

The 25-year-old ex-Huddersfield front man scored 12 goals for a team that finished rock-bottom with just 23 points. Strong, mobile and left-footed he had been identified as an ideal replacement for Daryl Murphy at Portman Road.

It’s now being reported that Neil Warnock, who was Ward’s boss at Rotherham, now leads the race to sign the in-demand player though.

Rotherham slapped an ambitious £5m price tag on their prized asset earlier this year but, now he’s in the final 12 months of his contract, they may have to settle for less.

Veteran boss Warnock is looking to add another promotion to his CV in South Wales and has set about rebuilding the squad.

Town are keen to sign midfielder Emyr Huws from the Bluebirds following a successful end-of-season loan spell, while they have also been linked with Tom Adeyemi, who has recently been on loan at Rotherham from Cardiff and is now out of contract.

Tricky wingers Kadeem Harris and Junior Hoilett have also been released – and both impressed when Cardiff beat Town 3-1 back in March – while attacking duo Craig Noone and Anthony Pilkington have been told they can find new clubs.

Rivals Norwich City have already beaten Town to the signing of forward Marley Watkins on a Bosman free transfer from Barnsley.

The Blues are understood to still be keen on Preston North End’s Jordan Hugill and have been linked with Rangers’ Joe Garner.