League One round-up: Portsmouth rivals face prospect of losing strikers with Championship sides including Cardiff, Huddersfield, Derby, Preston, Blackburn and Stoke keen to bolster forward line

Championship clamour for striker

Accrington striker Dion Charles is attracting attention from a host of Championship clubs.

Cardiff, Huddersfield and Derby are among the clubs said to be interested in landing the Northern Ireland striker, who has already bagged 18 goals this season.

The 25-year-old is said to be valued at £1.5m and has been touted as the next Jamie Vardy, after emerging from the non-league game to make a big impression in League One this term.

Charles, who was also given his Northern Ireland debut against USA in a friendly last month, joined Accrington from Southport in 2019.

The striker has also turned out for AFC Fylde, Halifax and Fleetwood Town after being released by Blackpool as a youngster.

U’s want midfield Marc-up

Oxford United are keen to bring in Nottingham Forest midfielder Marcus McGuane.

McGuane has been at the Kassam Stadium this season on loan, but went back to his parent club after picking up an injury in January.

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U’s boss Karl Robinson told the Oxford Mail: ‘Everyone knows how much I want him back here.

‘He wants to be back here as well.

‘We’re working extremely hard and hopefully we can have some news on him.

‘He’s certainly a player that we know the owners want.

‘We know Notts (sic) Forest are happy with it and we’re happy with what we think we can get out of the deal.

‘Hopefully in the next seven days we can have some news.’

Championship dash for Dale striker

Rochdale frontman Steven Humphrys is another League One forward attracting plenty of interest.

The likes of Preston, Blackburn and Stoke are all reported to be interested in the 23-year-old.

Despite Rochdale being rock bottom of the third tier, Humphrys has hit the back of the net 11 times this term.

The powerful front man came through the ranks at Fulham and has also turned out for Shrewsbury, Scunthorpe and Southend in his career to date.

Attacker’s stay Don and dusted

MK Dons striker Kieran Agard looks to be on his way this summer with his future set to be discussed in the next few weeks.

Agard, who bagged 22 goals in the 2018-19 season in League Two for his side, has struggled with injury and fallen down the pecking order for his side, playing just once.

Boss Russell Martin plans to talk to the 31-year-old with his contract up this summer.

He told the MK Citizen: ‘He's been great for this club and we'll sit down in the next few weeks and have a discussion and we'll see where we're at after that.

‘I cannot speak highly enough of Kieran for his professionalism, and how he has behaved when he's not involved.

‘We've had a lot of conversations. He's a brilliant pro and a great guy. It would have been easy for him to get his head down and sulk a bit but he's never done that.

‘He's been really unfortunate with injuries too since we took over. There are other things too – with the wage budget it has made things difficult for people, and he's one of those.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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