Aidy Boothroyd has confirmed he is keen to sign Bolton wanderers striker Danny Ward on a season long loan, but face stiff competition for the youngsters signature.
The 18 year old striker was weft out of the Bolton squad for their Carling Cup tie at Southampton last night so as not to cup tie the player.
Bolton are keen to let the Ward go out on loan, but they are close to agreeing a long term deal with him.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle said, "The likelihood is that we'll be letting Danny go out on loan later this week so I wouldn't want to cup tie him."
City and Championship rivals Milwall are the front runners to win Ward's signature, but there is interest in the talented youngster from several other clubs as well.
Boothroyd explained to the CT: "I enquired about him the very first day I came in because he's a player I like a lot, a terrific prospect. He can play on either wing and I think we're a little bit light there, so I've been persevering with that."
"I've spoken to Owen Coyle and I've spoken to Danny's representatives but there are a lot of things that can happen between now and the deadline. "At the last count he's got 12 Championship clubs that have expressed an interest in taking him on loan.
"We're one of them so we're in the pot and if we're considered to be one of the favourites that's great, because it underlines the size of our club and the reputation of the players we've already got here. It's a sign of our ambitions, and I'd love to think that could tip it."
Under new rules, Premier League clubs will be restricted to 25 players, an issue that has led to expectations of a free for all among lower league clubs to sign the excess Premier League players on loan before the transfer deadline on Tuesday 31st August.
Boothroyd, speaking about Ward and the possibility of signing Marlon King, sad, "I'll be very happy if we could get these two boys in."
"We've had a good start and, although I don't want to get carried away, we wouldn't need anybody else as far as I can see."