Bowditch linked with Hammers

Ipswich striker Dean Bowditch is being linked with a January move to playoff foes West Ham United in a £1 million deal, if tabloid newspapers are to be believed.

Nineteen-year-old Bowditch, who hasn’t netted for Town since the 2-1 win away at Coventry last season, has failed to command a starting place under Joe Royle, despite occasional glimpses of potential in the first team, and during his fruitful reserve partnership with Dean McDonald earlier in the season.

West Ham scouts are apparently regular visitors to Portman Road, and their interest in young midfielder Owen Garvan is common knowledge. Whether the Bowditch link is actually true remains to be seen.

Possible business with the Hammers isn’t one way however, with Town boss Joe Royle apparently renewing his interest in former Bournemouth midfielder Carl Fletcher, who has recently returned to Upton Park after a brief loan spell with last Saturday’s opponents Watford. Fletcher is seen as an ideal temporary replacement for injured midfielder Ian Westlake.

News of this interest comes as Town take Norwegian midfielder Vemund Brekke-Skard on a week’s trial.