Steady Ready to Go?

Jon Stead’s days in an Ipswich shirt appear to be numbered with the 27-year-old believed to be on the verge of a move to Championship rivals Bristol City.

Widespread reports suggest that Stead spent Monday at Ashton Gate for talks with new boss Steve Coppell over a deal which is likely to be completed later this week. According to the Bristol Evening Post, the transfer fee is likely to be no more than £250,000. Should the move go ahead, Stead would be reunited with another former Town striker, Danny Haynes, who scored 7 Championship goals after being sold to the Robins last summer.

Since his arrival from Sheffield United two years ago, the former England U21 international has fallen out of favour at Portman Road despite being Town’s leading goalscorer during Jim Magilton’s final season in charge. However, with Roy Keane having previously sold the striker during his time at Sunderland, the manager does not appear to consider Stead as part of his future plans – a loan spell at Coventry City during the second half of last season was followed with the 6ft 3in being named amongst 8 players placed on the transfer list, several others of which also look likely to move on before the season begins.

It is no secret that Keane is under pressure to sell before any new players can be drafted in, and with the similarly-sized Connor Wickham, Tamas Priskin, arguably Jon Walters and an additional new striker likely to be competing for places up front this season, it comes as little surprise that Stead is considered expendable. However, one should note that Stead was still Town’s joint-second leading goalscorer in 2009/10 having netted 6 times – though perhaps this is more of a reflection of how poor the Blues’ attack was last season!

Do you think Jon Stead should go, or is his tally last season enough to suggest that he could still do a job at Portman Road? Share your views with us by clicking the banner below and signing up to Vital Football – your opinion counts!