Town manager Roy Keane says the return of injured trio Damien Delaney, Mark Kennedy and Connor Wickham will be better than any signing he could hope to make. All three are expected back soon after the international break which follows Saturday’s home game against Bristol City.

Keane doesn’t expect to make any new signings before the closure of the transfer window on Tuesday, but says his squad will be greatly enhanced by the return of three key players: “If those three are back in two weeks it will be better than any signing.

“They’re doing good stuff, jogging around the training pitch but they’re a long way off going into a game with physical work, twisting and turning and hitting people with tackles. But to see them out there is heartening, although Connor’s behind the other two.”

Wickham hurt an ankle in pre-season and Delaney suffered a serious thigh injury, also before the beginning of the season proper, while Kennedy picked up a hamstring problem in the opening game at Middlesbrough.

Keane says that there’s no pressure for the trio to go straight back into the team given the good form of those currently in the side: “The good thing for me is that these players are coming back and they’ve got a battle on. There’s no one walking straight back into the team.

“We were under pressure last year to throw certain players back in, such as Chuck after four months out. There’s no reason for us to throw Connor back in yet, he might be another three or four weeks away.

“They might need a reserve run-out in the next week or two. I know the reserves play Tuesday but that would be too early for them. We’ll see the following week. We can always have 11 v 11s on the training pitch anyway.”

Meanwhile, former Town target Ross McCormack has completed his move from Cardiff City to Leeds United for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year deal.

Photo: Action Images

Frase1987 added 15:41 - Aug 27 wonder what the fee was.
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zippyrainbow added 15:43 - Aug 27 Well, that is good news but Keane needs to get some loanee's in from the Premier to firm up our numbers !!!!
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northdevonblue added 15:47 - Aug 27 Its a great credit to the younger players that Delaney and Kennedy havent been missed as yet, but with 2 massive home games in Cardiff and QPR coming up it will great to see them back in action, especially connor who could be the player that makes a real difference.
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legoman added 15:52 - Aug 27 Its great that he is giving the present team every chance to hold on to their places. Very clever, I can't wait till tomorrow.
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haynes_is_a_ledgend added 15:53 - Aug 27 No Sh1t sherlock lol big daymo and big wicks will wreak it up
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andy77 added 16:28 - Aug 27 No mention of Civelli there hey! Wonder if we'll ever see him again.
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Mark added 16:46 - Aug 27 It's good news they are all progressing well (indeed, except Civelli). With Kennedy and Delaney coming back, O'Dea recently joining, and O'Connor and Smith doing well, there is loads of cover in the left-back and left centre back positions. I wish we had as many options up front!
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Marcus added 16:48 - Aug 27 What about Civelli, who is conspicuously missing from that list.
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Raedwald_625 added 16:54 - Aug 27 Team doing great, good players to come back in, but relying on strengthening by bringing in random Prem rejects dont make much sense.
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Back_The_Boss added 17:01 - Aug 27 Good news they are back. COYB! Keep the good run going.
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ChambersM added 17:31 - Aug 27 Think I'd rather have messi than that lot return
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legoman added 17:43 - Aug 27 Re chively. I reckon he will def be back and now that keano knows its only mental he will scare chively into getting back.
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dude added 17:43 - Aug 27 I have a feeling RK had written Luca off, so if he returns it will be a bonus imo. Sending you good juju Luca.
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martleshamitfc added 17:51 - Aug 27 ChambersM wake up , you are dreaming again!
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Frase1987 added 18:23 - Aug 27 Think I'd rather have messi than that lot return ---- LoL
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Blueknight85 added 18:29 - Aug 27 An Estate agent was showing Jordan Rhodes around one of the new dockside apartments today!!
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ramseyn added 18:55 - Aug 27 Perhaps he's looking to buy one!! Shock!! Jordan Rhodes buys a property!!
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SurreyITFC added 19:10 - Aug 27 Look forward to them returning. It will bring compitition for places which will continue to bring the best out all the players. COYB - Let's Get Portman Road rocking tomorrow & sing the boys to victory
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PimsNumber1 added 20:11 - Aug 27 civelli is doing fitness work with delaney kennedy wickham and quinn down at david LLoyd so maybe he will return. Hope so.
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GinjaBumBum added 23:00 - Aug 27 Wickham and Scotland upfront, will be one of the best strike force in the Championship. What about getting Marlon Harewood in on loan he a decent premier league striker from Villa
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ryan_tractorboy added 23:10 - Aug 27 Ginja where have you been? Miss Blackpools 4-0 win vs Wigan. MArlon Harewood scored 2 in that game because he signed for them as a free agent. D'Oh.
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tom_the_blue added 10:42 - Aug 29 I agree with Keano, Connor and delaney are 2 of our most important players, we need them back. Imagine the strikeforce of Wickham, Priskin and Scotland!
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shoopdelang added 01:20 - Aug 30 This s very good news and with our current team doing so well, Wickham, Delaney and Kennedy will be like three new signings. Also following Ginjas comment Wickham and Scotland best strike partnership? What about Bellamy and Chopra ( i'm not sure as an Ipswich fan i should mention his name, it has to be the most overused name so far this season by us Ipswich fans haha ) anyway, Bellamy and Chopra, not bad hey?

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