Roy Keane says competition for places in his side is now more fierce than at any stage in his time at Portman Road. The Blues boss added Spurs midfielder Jake Livermore to his squad yesterday, adding to his options in central midfield.

Keane said: “We’ve got the strongest competition for places we’ve had since I’ve been at the club. In terms of most positions there are good battles, which is why I need another two players - to make sure that battle continues.

“Competition always gets the best out of good players, and that’s what we’ve got here at the moment.”

Keane is looking for 20-year-old Livermore to compete for a first team position with the likes of David Norris, Grant Leadbitter, Luke Hyam, Colin Healy and Jaime Peters: “He’ll be involved at the weekend and it’s good competition and I think we needed that extra cover in the centre. David Norris is on four bookings and we’ve got lots of games coming up. More competition is what we need.”

The Blues boss says he could keep the Spurs man beyond January: “I think the first part of the deal is a month [to November 13th] but it kicks into a deal until January. He’ll be here until January and we’ll review it then.”

Keane wants to add two more loanees, but says there’s some way to go before those deals are done: “I’ve identified a couple of players and we’ll keep making these phonecalls, as you do, and sometimes we get the thumbs-up.”

The Irishman was giving little away regarding their identities, including whether they are experienced players or youngsters like Livermore and Townsend: “They wouldn’t be old, but they’re not too young either!”

Keane believes Portman Road is a good place for Premier League managers to send their young stars to gain match experience: “I think we’re a good option for a lot of clubs, although I think other clubs in the Championship would also say that.

“But all the players who came on loan here last year did well and went back to their clubs better players.

“Football is a small world and people know that we train properly, we look after the players and that we’ve got a very good fitness coach in Antonio Gomez. Word gets around.”

The Blues boss is continuing to look to the loan market after owner Marcus Evans committed less cash for permanent signings than in previous years during the transfer window, something Keane says he can understand after last season’s poor showing: “If you win football matches you get the support of the owner, whoever it might be, and if you’re not doing well they maybe get a bit tentative. I think maybe that was the case in the summer.

“We brought in lots of players last year, it took them a while to settle in and sometimes people get reluctant to go and spend some more money, which I understand because it’s a tough business out there.”

Keane says the squad suffered no new injuries during Tuesday’s Carling Cup win at Millwall and that Shane O’Connor (hamstring) and Alan Quinn (groin) are the only players sidelined at present. O’Connor is expected to be back in training this week, but Quinn is a little further behind the young left-back.

Photo: Action Images

BlueBoots added 09:52 - Sep 24 I think a specialist right-back is the last piece of the jigsaw, but if Civelli doesn't step up his comeback we may need a left winger too. Very happy with the 3 strikers - quality over quantity!
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GiveusaWave added 09:55 - Sep 24 Loads of potentially very good loan signings at the moment. Jonjo Shelvey and Thomas Ince from Liverpool for competition for places would be good(neither look as if they are going to get a look in at Liverpool this season). Ince in particular is meant to be a real prospect (son of Paul Ince). Know everyone else is going on about it also- but feel we still need another right back (Ben Mee from Man City would be a possible option). Don't know what has happened to Steve Finnan.....

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JetaimePeters added 09:57 - Sep 24 Yeah, maybe just a fullback, but how many of these loan players are making up our 11? And will we sign any of them if promoted? I really hope we can keep O'Dea and Townsend if they continue as they have started.
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andrewstevens1984 added 10:03 - Sep 24 dont rate o'dea as a left back has looked poor when ive seen him play.
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comeonthegoodtimes added 10:18 - Sep 24 The big Question is andrewstevens1984, Have you seen him play? Tell me what game you've watched this year that you haven't rated him in? It's nice to have that bite at left back and i for 1 would sign him on a perminant deal tomorrow given the chance..... Also good cover in the middle if need be. Competition is grate at the club at the minute, Kean seems to be doing his job so now it's our turn as fans to do ours, We need to get behind the lads even more and really show our support and get the numbers back up at home games, Sing like your Winning............. COYB

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itfc1981 added 10:31 - Sep 24 andrewstevens1984 O'dea had been outstanding this season, dont know what games youve been going to?
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itfc1981 added 10:34 - Sep 24 andrewstevens1984 perhaps you've been in a timewarp, and been watching McEveley
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DanLyles added 10:52 - Sep 24 I've seen O'Dea play twice and he was very solid. OK hs distribution against Cardiff could have been better but we missed him terribly against QPR, where Mackie ran at Kennedy at Smith. Young Tommy looks far more assured with O'Dea to his left. DefiniteIy a January signing on the cards. I would like to see a right back like everyobdy else, Eastman has looked good there but he is naturally a centre back. I also think we need cover if Edwards was to get injured. Peters is decent at right back and on the right flank as cover, but I would like a really creative player to challenge Edwards for his postition. Maybe Reggie Lambe can step up? Up top I think we have excellent options in Wickham, Scotland and Priskin. Keane has also identified young Ronan Murray as the most 'natural' finisher at the club.

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DanLyles added 10:54 - Sep 24 Forgot to mention that the player I think we would miss the most is Gareth McAuley
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sonian_blue added 11:05 - Sep 24 Agree comeonthegoodtimes. I have called for us supporters to up our game on here recently. I will be at Scunny and Reading this week and no doubt the support will be excellent as it tends to be away. Just need to get the bums on seats at home. COYB Boys
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legoman added 11:21 - Sep 24 I reckon Luca will become the future left back. Apparently he plays very well there, is tough and has good vision and awareness.
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Skip73 added 11:23 - Sep 24 Legoman, are you sure he's tough as he might be afraid to go in hard after his injury worried it might happen again.
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legoman added 11:41 - Sep 24 I think you are more worried about it than him. Which is understandable. Surgeons would'nt give him the all clear if there was even a slight risk of a serious fault inside there (the knee).
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comeonthegoodtimes added 11:43 - Sep 24 God i love football, Haven't said that in about 18 months........ Just had a crazy bet, £10 on: Scunthorpe 1 Ipswich 3. Norwich 0 Hull 2 Cardiff 3 Millwall 0 OPR 2 Doncaster 0 If it comes in then were all going out In Ipswich on Saturday night and i'm buying...... COYB
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Keaneish added 11:44 - Sep 24 Our club is in a great place at the moment. Everyone agree? Even if for some reason you dislike Keane, he's raised the profile of our club enormously. I like the fact i can turn on Sky Sports News and our club is always represented on there. An honest approach to the game and the media Great youth production Good backing by the chairman A lean, fit, hungry squad Quality in all areas of the pitch Winning games again... The football could be purer but i'm sure even Wenger says that! Now...how about we sort the atmosphere out at Portman Road for the arrival of the vociferous Leeds Fans...?

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callmeted added 11:56 - Sep 24 Atmosphere - I am not a member of section 6 but how about the Central North Stand getting rid of their apparent pettiness towards seaction 6 and all joining in with the same songs?? Watching and listening from where I do it seems that those lads put in the furthest corner of the stand with no help from home or away fans keep going all game. And yes I do stand up because I hate Norwich but it is a bit repetitive.

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brian_a_mul added 12:15 - Sep 24 Hey comeonthegoodtimes, Very brave to back scorelines. But good predictions and I agree with results but I cant see Milwall losing by 3 against Cardiff. It could be the game of the weekend with both clubs looking for the win. 2-1 to Cardiff. When ever I back score lines I always lose!! Best of luck on your tenner!! Lets us know if u win!
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shropshiretractor added 12:27 - Sep 24 Liam Rosenior!!! Obvious choice, -he was great for us last season, especially for the first half when he has great link up play with Edwards. A great attacking full back. He's got not club at the mo, surely work getting him at least until the end of the season?!
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SammyT added 12:31 - Sep 24 Callmeted - Agree totally about the atomosphere, but feel that although I admire the enthusiasm/Passion of Section 6 they have greated a division in the Stand. I sit in the central Northstand, to the right of the goal and quite often hear 2 different songs at the same time. Not sure how/if singing unity will be achieved. The "old" singers from Central North have calmed down a bit in lou of section 6. Tough Situation.

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andrewstevens1984 added 13:08 - Sep 24 dont get me wrong o'dea would make a great centre bk he just isnt a good left bk u can tell that by far. i watched him against bristol cty and cardiff and just thought he was poor and thats just my opinion. but great start to the season been to most games and think it looks like a promising season for us and hope we can keep it up.
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SiBo added 13:13 - Sep 24 I think the fullback positions are interesting... Jamie peters has done VERY well there so far this year and would have probably have felt a little dissapointed being dropped V Cardiff, as he (IMO) was our best player against QPR. (Not saying Eastman didn't do well... he did) On the other side we have O'Connor and Kennedy and both appear to be behind O'Dea in RK's mind and this brings up an interesting point... it appears that RK prefers to go with 4 centre backs in the back line... I heard a quote where he said Jamie Peters had done well but was a bit attack minded at times... If you look at the modern game, the bigger clubs play exactly that... attack minded Full Backs, but RK seems to prefer more defensive FB's... I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but I do think their will be more and more games this season where teams try to sit back and soak up the pressure and it is often the unmarked FB that can make the difference... O'Dea and Eastman don't really fit that bill... I'd much rather see Peters and O'Connor/Kennedy as they are decent defenders (I haven't seen Peters destroyed yet this season and he's the most inexperianced of them in that role) but can also add something more going forward.

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legoman added 13:19 - Sep 24 So Luca at left back would suit you system well then SiBo!
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BlueJewells added 13:56 - Sep 24 maybe the players will have even more pride now
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Keaneish added 15:02 - Sep 24 Just a note on Rosenior, if anyone was at Vicarage Road last season i think his first half performance has to be amongst the worst i've ever seen from a town player. Having said that, he did put in some good shifts for us throughout his time here. Consistency a problem would be the underlying theme i guess.
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legoman added 15:51 - Sep 24 Rosenior was to much of a tart (in general) to be a Kean player.
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