Boss Roy Keane has challenged striker Pablo Couñago to "come out fighting” and win himself a place in his Town side. Yesterday, the Spanish frontman turned down a move to Swansea.

Keane told the club site: "I've no problem with Pablo staying and fighting for his place here, absolutely no problem at all.

"If the club receive an offer for a player that they think is acceptable, then you put it to the player, but if the player doesn't want to leave, then no problem.

"I spoke to Pablo and told him that if he wanted a new challenge at a new club then fair enough, but if wants to stay he has to come out fighting for his place.

"He knows I'm looking to bring in one or two new strikers, so he will have to battle for his place in the team and hopefully we will see him up for the challenge.

"It's the same with all my players. I expect them to have to fight for their place. It's part of football. It could be that Pablo goes on to make a big contribution for us this season. That's the way the game is."

Keane says Couñago is currently still suffering with the groin injury he picked up on the opening day of pre-season training: "He is making progress but he's still short of joining in at the moment."

Reports in Swansea today set the fee offered for Couñago at £500,000 with the Welsh club's chairman Huw Jenkins now looking at other targets: "We are obviously disappointed about Couñago's decision to turn down our offer, but we will start to pursue other options.”

Photo: Action Images

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