Paul Lambert wants Rudy Gestede to join his Championship survival mission at Ipswich Town.

Lambert is targeting the Middlesbrough striker for a loan move in January as he plots a route to safety at Portman Road.

Gestede, a £6 million signing from Aston Villa in January 2017, will be made available by Middlesbrough when the transfer window reopens and Lambert, the new Ipswich manager, has made an initial inquiry.

A Benin international, Gestede possesses vast experience of the Championship and Lambert is hopeful of persuading the 30 year-old to make the move. Gestede has not started a game under Tony Pulis since November.

Ipswich beat Wigan on Saturday but remain bottom of the league, five points adrift of safety.