Ipswich Town have made an approach to Leeds United about taking striker Billy Sharp on loan.

The 28-year-old has struggled for goals – scoring just twice – at Elland Road since signing a permanent deal with the Whites, from Southampton, in the summer.

Town have already completed the signing of Colchester United frontman Freddie Sears for an undisclosed fee, on a two-and-a-half year contract, and manager Mick McCarthy is keen to bolster in squad further, following the departure of loan striker Conor Sammon to Rotherham and with doubts over David McGoldrick’s fitness ahead of tomorrow’s game at Millwall.

Sharp has scored 187 times in 331 Football League games for the likes of Doncaster, Scunthorpe, Reading and Nottingham Forest and any loan deal would have to be completed before 12 noon tomorrow in order for him to be eligible to feature at The Den.

Elsewhere, Balint Bajner could be close to a loan move to Notts County, according to Oldham manager Lee Johnson, who was keen on taking the Hungarian to Boundary Park on a temporary basis.

Meanwhile, Town are not expected to sign a new goalkeeper to fill in for the injured Dean Gerken, before tomorrow’s trip to Millwall, meaning that Welsh youngster Michael Crowe will be on the bench.