Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has said he is keen to keep hold of Dutchman Gerard Wiekens. Yesterday reports in Lancashire claimed that new Town manager Joe Royle might want to take Wiekens to Portman Road.

Keegan says that although Wiekens isn't in his side at present, he has full confidence in him: "Gerard is really well respected here and we are not seeking for him to go out of the club or anything like that.

"He is one of those players who covers a lot of areas for us. All I can really say to him is that he has to wait his chance.

"He has been superb in the reserves for the last two or three games and is a model professional for the youngsters but that will not satisfy him and I understand that."

Royle is well aware that he has no money to spend at Portman Road and suggested that if results do not go well with the current squad he may then look to the loan market.

The new Town manager says he is impressed with what he has seen of his squad and particularly Matt Holland who he tried to buy on two occasions when manager at Maine Road.

David Sheepshanks recently said that Town are not under any pressure to sell top name players during the winter transfer window.

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