Ipswich Town could face former striker Jordan Rhodes this weekend, the former Kesgrave High School pupil reportedly on the verge of a switch to Middlesbrough.

Rhodes – who has scored more than 150 goals since he was sold to Huddersfield by ex-Blues boss Roy Keane – has found himself behind Rudy Gestede and Josh King in the Blackburn Rovers pecking order of late, with the mid-table Lancashire club keen to reduce their wage bill.

That has sparked interest in Rhodes from three Championship promotion hopefuls, with fourth-place Middlesbrough understood to be in poll position ahead of Derby County and Norwich City.

A complicated deal, initially a loan with the potential for a big money summer switch and including several clauses, is believed to have been struck by the Teesiders. And Rhodes could yet sign in time for Saturday’s televised lunchtime match (12.15pm ko) against Ipswich, at the Riverside.