Ipswich Town are closing in on the loan signing of left-winger Ben Pringle – and it’s understood there could be another new recruit to follow.

The promotion-seeking Blues certainly need a timely boost following three defeats from four games in all competitions and an injury to star man Ryan Fraser.

Recognising that, manager Mick McCarthy has called upon owner Marcus Evans to get two deals done before Saturday’s game at Bristol City.

Pringle’s arrival is believed to be imminent. The 26-year-old is a player that Town were interested in signing back in the summer when his contract at Rotherham expired, but he moved to Craven Cottage instead and there the busy set-piece specialist has made just 12 league starts – the last of which came on December 5.

The Newcastle-born wideman will help fill a void in the squad left following Tommy Oar’s departure and Fraser’s injury – the latter set for a six to eight week spell on the sidelines after tearing his hamstring at QPR on Saturday.

With midfield duo Luke Hyam (calf) and Cole Skuse (ankle) having also suffered injuries recently, the extent of which has not yet been revealed, it’s also understood that McCarthy is keen to add a central midfielder to the ranks for the final 16 games.

This is the final season in which Football League clubs can sign players outside of the two main transfer windows on ‘emergency’ 93-day loan deals – FIFA having decided to scrap the system from 2016/17 onwards.

Town have had mixed success shopping in this market in recent years. For every Jonny Williams there has been a Zeki Fryers.

Meanwhile, it’s understood that Lloyd Dyer will not be signing for Ipswich. The 33-year-old left-winger had his Watford contract terminated by mutual consent last week but talks have not been successful.

The Blues also had experienced former Charlton and West Brom winger Jerome Thomas on trial recently, but the 32-year-old has not been offered a contract.