Striker Billy Clarke says he is hopeful that he can impress new boss Roy Keane and win himself a new contract with the Blues. Clarke's current deal is up at the end of the season and former boss Jim Magilton had told him he was surplus to requirements.

Clarke, currently on loan with League Two champions Brentford, says he spoke to his new manager last week: "I met Roy last Thursday. Hopefully he wants to have a look at me and I can impress him and stay at Ipswich, which is what I want. I've got my house there and my girlfriend's pregnant as well, so we'll see what happens.

"But if things don't work out at Ipswich then coming to Brentford would definitely be something to think about. Being here has been great."

The Irish U21 international, who has scored 18 goals for three clubs this season, says Keane is his hero: "I've been watching him since I was a kid.

"Being from Cork as well, he's an idol of mine. When I was 12 or 13 I went round his house. His mum and dad live just down the road from me, but he wasn't there!

"I spoke to him in my local pub before. He's lovely, and exactly how I thought he'd be.

"He's just what Ipswich need. He's got a winning mentality. He got promoted with Sunderland, and his plan is to do it with Ipswich. There's some good players there so I don't see why not."

Meanwhile, Jon Stead has revealed that he was quizzed by his team-mates about Keane when news of his appointment broke, the striker having played for him at Sunderland: "He's a very clever man. He's the sort who judges you over five or six years, not two or three weeks. You always know he's watching.

"He's hard, but he's fair. A lot of managers beat around the bush and you don't really know where you stand. With him, you know exactly. He told us if we weren't on time, the bus would leave. Everybody has to work hard and he has told us that."

Elsewhere, it's reported that Keane has become embroiled in a legal battle with Sunderland regarding a bonus the Blues boss claims is due if the Wearsiders stay up this season. Keane managed the Black Cats until December.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls