The race to sign a striker at Ipswich Town appears set to go right down to the wire tonight.

Town are said to be chasing a long-needed replacement for Daryl Murphy, who departed for Newcastle for £3 million back in August.

The latest name to be linked with the Blues is Reading’s Dominic Samuel, the 22-year-old interesting a number of clubs as the deadline looms.

It is thought that Brentford and Barnsley are leading the chase for Samuels, who would likely be a loan move.

Reading boss Jaap Stam said: “I think several teams are interested in Dom but we need to make a decision about that. Because if you let somebody go you need to have somebody in as well.

“We know Dominic’s quality, he’s got ability which can help us out. But he is still a young player and needs to learn a lot, and for him it’s very good if he can play week in, week out to develop.”

Town have also been linked with Rotherham’s Danny Ward, Barnsley’s Marley Watkins and Preston’s Jordan Hugill, with the latter netting against them on Saturday - and, as Mick McCarthy joked, duly boosting his value!

Grimsby’s Omar Bogle and Southampton winger Lloyd Isgrove have also been mentioned.

One player who could well be departing is captain Luke Chambers, linked to a surprise move back to former club Nottingham Forest.

All seems quiet, however, on the possible moves of Leon Best and Jonathan Douglas, the latter linked to League One cellar-dwellers Coventry City.

The transfer window closes at 11pm tonight.