City have made an approach for Ipswich striker Alun Armstrong.

The Suffolk club today confirmed that Bryan Robson is interested in Armstrong, who played under him for nearly three years at Middlesbrough.

Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks said: "We've had an inquiry from Bradford and we are still in discussions."

Robson will keep chipping away to try to beg and borrow the players to bolster City's fight against the drop.

Robson's side have now gone six hours without a goal after slipping to their fourth straight defeat at home to Rotherham on Saturday.

With Crystal Palace and Stoke both winning, the gap to safety is now up to nine points at Christmas. It is becoming an increasingly tall order and Robson believes he has to tap into the loan market, particularly for a striker.

He said: "I feel we need the other lads fit like Dave Wetherall and Danny Cadamarteri but I'm still looking to strengthen the squad with a couple of loan signings.

"Whether it's after Christmas or whatever, hopefully I can bring a few loan players in. We need to try to improve things that aren't right at the moment."

Armstrong, 28, has just recovered from a gashed leg and was at yesterday's East Anglian derby but was not named in the squad. He has scored two goals in eight games this season and is available on a free transfer.

Robson signed him from Stockport for £1.6m in February 1998. Armstrong netted nine goals in 33 appearances for Boro although 19 of those came off the bench.

Armstrong joined Ipswich three years ago for £500,000, writing his name in club folklore with a winning goal against Inter Milan in the UEFA Cup. He also scored in the second leg at the San Siro.

Nicky Summerbee limped off with a groin strain and is doubtful for Boxing Day's trip to his old club Sunderland.

And Jason Gavin's fifth yellow card has ruled him out of the FA Cup third-round tie against Luton. Gavin already misses Sunday's home game with Coventry.