Boss Roy Keane says Town have two loan targets they are hoping to bring to the club before Saturday’s game at Barnsley. Keane is understood to have been involved in a meeting at the club yesterday which presumably also included owner Marcus Evans, who attended Saturday’s game against Newcastle.

The Town manager says he is getting closer to adding to his squad and hinted that one of the additions is likely to be a centre-half, with Alex Bruce likely to be out of action for up to a fortnight with a groin injury: “Maybe this week. There’s been a little bit of progress over the last 24 hours. We’re trying. It’s a touch closer.

“I’ve got two targets in mind and we’re working very hard and there’s a bit to go yet on the negotiations.”

Keane admits that there have been one or two setbacks as he has sought to add to his options: “We’ve hit one or two brick walls, but I think there has been progress over the last 24 hours, however, there’s still a bit of work to be done over the next few days. Nothing will happen before tomorrow night but by the weekend I’m a bit more hopeful.

“I’ve been saying for the last couple of months, there are one or two areas of the club I think we need improving. It’s very good talking about the problems have in certain areas, in terms of defending, particularly set pieces, but we need to talk about the solution and get one or two players in.

“Trust me, it’s easier said than done. I could draw you up a list of players, but it’s trying to get the ones we think will help improve us.”

The Blues boss dismissed weekend newspaper claims that talks have been ongoing with Sol Campbell since last week, but again failed to rule out a move for the former England man: “No, not that I’m aware of. I mentioned him [on Friday] because I was asked a question about him. Am I interested? We’re interested in all good players.”

Keane says he is well aware that there will have to be an upturn in form sooner rather than later: “The bottom line is, if results don't improve there will be changes. I'll be losing my job if results don't improve.”

While Alex Bruce is definitely out of Tuesday’s game at Bramall Lane, Gareth McAuley trained yesterday and will be involved in a light session today and could be available, havin missed out at the weekend due to a calf injury. David Wright and youngster Troy Brown are also expected to travel to South Yorkshire.

Striker Connor Wickham will remain behind after suffering with a groin injury in recent weeks.

Photo: Action Images

devontractorboy added 14:55 - Sep 28 Well most of us are 'fickle' eh..... I got grade one s*ite on this site for saying, right from the begining that Roy Keane was not and never will be an Ipswich Town manager. Having just watched his interview on Sky, I'm seriously worried about the future of our club, the guy is clueless, admits he 'got lucky' with Sunderland. What happened to 'I'm happy with the squad I've got and only want to make one or two changes'.... well Mr Keane you blew our squad apart and filled it with mostly rubbish. Why the changes again on saturday? I feel so sorry for the players, those we did have he destroyed in public....McCauley was never a captain but after a shaky start last season was one of our better players. This mess is gonna take some clearing up, it will need a manager with experience (and no keane isn't a manager with managerial experience) mark my words if something isn't done soon we'll have our East Anglian derby back next year in the third division.....oh well at least I can go and watch town at the real St James Park!!! KEANE OUT NOW!!

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devontractorboy added 15:00 - Sep 28 Oh and the Truth I'm fed up with people saying Newcastle are a premier league side NO THEY'RE NOT, I bet you'd have been third fiddle on the Titanic band with your attitude....Keane hasn't got a clue how to get us out of this mess and we need someone who can...quickly
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WickedBlue added 15:02 - Sep 28 Great news Bruce out for at least two weeks perhaps our defence has a chance to improve now.
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petersongoal added 15:04 - Sep 28 fire keane. he's useless. lets face it, completely embarrassing. we gave it a go though. the guy doesnt deserve to be hear and i said that right from the start. hes ruined the club as far as i can see, would have gladly stuck with jim for another season if i thought we would have employed keane. doesnt matter who he brings in he is still cr*p! give him till xmas and he will walk out just like he has done with every other club hes been involved with.

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Thetruth added 15:06 - Sep 28 devontractorboy I take it you sit in the Britannia ? Newcastle are not a premier league side? Your a joke mate, they tore us to pieces, they are quality and thats why they will be in the Premier league next season. So do me a favour take your stupid comments elsewhere, and get on with sacking Roy Keane. Oh I forgot, you cant do that can you? Maybe when we get another manager and he cant do nothing with this club you will call for his head after 5 games. JOG ON

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pottyblue added 15:19 - Sep 28 thetruth you are dead right
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matt_the_blue added 15:27 - Sep 28 devontractorboy - Did you actually watch the run of inconsistent, woeful form we had between Christmas and the end of last season? What's to say this slump wouldn't have happened if JM was still in charge? We were a shower of s*ite last season and it needed blowing apart and rebuilding in order for us not to be just another 'competent second division side' like we were in the late Eighties. OK so yes the results have gone to the dogs and I will agree that I can't see the point in Delaney or the changes that were made in the lineup for Saturday, but we are where we are now and changing manager now would be fatal. By the time any new gaffer gets bedded in and starts to sort things out Christmas we'll be on our doorstep and THEN the situation will be dire. And this isn't to say I'm worshipping Keano - he's made mistakes and he needs to fix them and has obviously been told by Mr Evans to fix them sharpish. I still think he can turn it around and once we get that first win we can have a solid season that we can build on and be a threat at the top next season, Rome after all wasn't built in a day. However (and you CAN hold me to this) if it comes unstuck and he has to go, then he has to go - wiser men than me will decide that - and I will put my hands in the air and admit I was wrong. But until then can't we put this horrible infighting to one side and get behind the team - this is when they need their supporters to be united and vocal at Portman Road.

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LowstBlue added 15:41 - Sep 28 Unbelieveable! "Back him", "give him time", "in Roy Keane we trust," blah, blah, blah? This bloke has had more money than any Ipswich manager (bar Burley's spending spree in 01/02!) He has publicly said his squad was good enough, then said it wasn't. He has alienated players, told others they won't play again for the club, before he had their replacement. He has sold young talent (unproven yes, but Rhodes had massive potential). Brought in some absolute garbage (Healy & Delaney). I am waiting for Derek Davis' campaign to start and that idiot having virtually his own slot on Radio Suffolk again. Magilton was never this bad! Keane is a hot head manager. He struggles to generate TEAM SPIRIT, CONFIDENCE, CONTINUITY and has no affinity for Ipswich Town (Magilton did). He will walk soon and say he didn't get a fair crack, no doubt! Dark Days indeed.

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WeWereZombies added 15:45 - Sep 28 Roy Keane, The Pope and a boy scout are on a light aircraft. Suddenly there are two loud explosions and the pilot bursts out of the cockpit "Both engines are gone, I've got my parachute and you lot will have to fight it out for the remaining two", So saying, the pilot opens the emergency exit and jumps out. "Roight, I'se having this one and it's between youse twose for the last one" says Keane and out he jumps. The Pope turns to the boy scout "You are young, you must take the last parachute and save yourself". The boy scout smiles and says "It's OK, we can both use a parachute. Roy Keane just strapped on my backpack before he jumped out"

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Thetruth added 15:47 - Sep 28 lowstBlue You sure about your spending more than any manager line??? Magilton 12 Mil Keane - 8 mil???? correct me if i am wrong??
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The_Realist_09 added 15:50 - Sep 28 Keane has to have 2-3 years at this club. We will not get relegated this season. The team on Saturday were playing well until we gave away more silly goals. Keep playing the same team KEANO, except for new signings in the defence. We need to settle a side that we play week in week out. Troy Brown has gotta be worth a shout, cant be worse than Mcawful.
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fatuncle added 15:58 - Sep 28 Cannot see how anybody could say we were playing well until they scored saturday all i got was a feeling of impending doom!Keane has ripped JM's team apart when really all we needed was 2or 3 decent defenders IMHO
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matt_the_blue added 16:00 - Sep 28 LowstBlue - Can you explain to me how JM was fostering team spirit when he was holding secret meetings with his 'preferred players'? Sure he bled blue and white - but sometimes it's not enough...we gave him 3 years but we're not willing to give RK more than 10 games?
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Thetruth added 16:20 - Sep 28 The realist and matt the blue know the score, shame others dont........... 10 games in and call for his head, you lot dont like him because he isnt the family man you wanted. What a load of horse muck!!! Keane deserves more than 10 games, if we gave JM 3 years this bloke deserves the 2 he signed for, and you lot moaning will not push him out you can be sure of that! BACK YOUR TEAM and leave your boring comments for the gutter.......

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Lightningboy added 16:23 - Sep 28 havinit69..I did say "if I was in charge"..as in if I was in charge I wouldn't have appointed Roy Keane in the frist place,I would've appointed Curbishley. Hope that's cleared that up for you.
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UEFA81 added 16:30 - Sep 28 devontractorboy - very well put. It seems clear to me from this report and the Sky interview that the death knell is ringing for Keane at PR. And not before time! Even if no other players are brought in this squad will start to play a damn sight better once Keane has slung his hook - it is his 'malevolent' influence and foul attitude that is stopping them perform at their full potential - they appear to be terrified of him and it's affecting their game very badly. Once Keane has gone (which I think and HOPE will be soon now), the improvement in the team will be instant - mark my words. Then, and only then, will the results start to come and we can drag ourselves out of the deep crap we are in at the moment.

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lilian3415 added 16:36 - Sep 28 The point many people don't seem to realise is that it is us 'whingers' who are the real supporters.The fact that Keane is a despicable individual who when he was a player, and by his own admission set out to deliberately injure players would be immaterial if he bought and selected the right team aned got us playing good football. Many of us wouldn't have chosen him in the first place but would love the opportunity to shout for the team from the rooftops.We just don't want it to be in the Blue Square Premier league.

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Thetruth added 16:44 - Sep 28 The fact is you all sit in the Britannia stand and dont have a clue about football. You all have some magical dream that this club should be in the Premier league and you all have the key and secret to get us there! Keane - Despicable individual? Probably achieved more in his life than you have, has more ambition than the playing staff and is obviously too nasty for you family friendly prawn sandwich eating unrealistic poor excuse for supporters! REAL SUPPORTERS - WHAT A COMPLETE JOKE!!!!!

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BoxerBlue added 16:56 - Sep 28 I can see a tight game going our way tomorrow it will be intresting to see how are defence functions without Bruce playing COYB !!!
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noitan added 16:57 - Sep 28 I'm in Brittania stand and am still very hopeful that RK will turn it round and he certainly has the support of all those around me. Just wish a lot more would get off his back.
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Bergholtblue added 17:00 - Sep 28 Two areas need improvement. The team and the management!
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noitan added 17:07 - Sep 28 There is no doubt that team and manager need to improve let's just back both of them and see what happens.
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62WasBest added 17:28 - Sep 28 When Keane was appointed I said he was a divisive character on this site. Well, I think it now shows. We have Town followers on here practically coming to "verbal fisticuffs" with each other and a team playing as if they have never met each other until matchday. Chopping and changing managers, however, isn't the answer. Stability is wht is needed not another man with different ideas causing more disruption and chopping and changing the side. What I do think is worrying though is that Keane only seems to be interested in collecting players, as if he is playing some footbal computer game. That's not managing. A good manager should be able to fashion an organised side from those players he already has. We haven't even got that organisation yet. Does even have a clue which is his best XI from those available? So please Mr. Keane, concentrate in getting the players you have gelling rather than keep bringing in more personnel - or even worse - talking about bringing in new personnel to the media!

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crawler added 17:35 - Sep 28 it wont be long till RK is gone he is in no way ever going to be able to run a football club for a substantail lenght of time .. He has no man management skills. I hear he does not even speak to his players or backroom staff which is just crazy one of greatest ever players though he prob will win a few games in the next week or so but he will walk away He wont be able to help himself ...he will then blame the staff

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Brad_C_ITFC added 17:37 - Sep 28 Where have we heard this before!? We heard this a couple weeks back but f**k all happened. I'm sick of this guy already, he just talks bulls**t!!
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