Town manager Roy Keane says there’s a long way to go before the Blues add Cardiff City striker Ross McCormack to their ranks. Yesterday the Scottish international’s agent confirmed that the clubs are in talks but the deal, which could see Jon Stead move in the opposite direction, seems some distance from being completed.

Keane said: “There’s a lot of work to be done on that one. Jon Stead could possibly go the other way, but there is a lot of work to be done on that as well.

“That’s the one deal I wouldn’t be too sure is going to happen. There’s a lot of chatting going on and when there’s too much chatting that’s not really good.”

The Blues boss dismissed Welsh reports that a loan swap could be on the cards, while a national newspaper claims that McCormack is currently fuming at Keane for forcing him into a needless 800-mile [sic] round trip from Cardiff to Ipswich and back for merely a chat about the move rather than to complete the deal.

Given that the 23-year-old is currently serving a 17-month ban for drink-driving most aspects of the story seem unlikely, although McCormack’s presence at the club on Monday was mentioned by a number of TWTD Message Board posters.

Keane says that despite Stead speaking to Bristol City and Blackpool regarding possible moves in addition to the current interest from Cardiff, the striker has shown just the right attitude: “Steady’s not once come to see me and said ‘it doesn’t look like I’m in your plans’ or any nonsense like that.

“He’s done it properly where we’ve had an offer accepted and I’ve spoken to Steady. He’s done it the proper way.”

The Blues boss says he will have no problem continuing to pick Stead even though his future may lie elsewhere: “Steady scored last Saturday, did very well the other night. He’s spoken to two or three clubs, he’s probably fed up of speaking to clubs. If he keeps his form the way it is then he’ll be in my starting XI.

“Jon played on Tuesday night and for a player who might be leaving the club he did very, very well. I always welcome back players with open arms, I force no one out of the football club.”

Keane says he could add one more loan player to his squad today ahead of Saturday’s first home game of the season against Burnley: “If we get another player done today, it’ll be another young player.”

The Blues boss also revealed that he had been in conversation with Celtic manager Neil Lennon, but says this wasn’t related to any potential move: “No, I speak to Lenny all the time.”

Photo: Action Images

robdaful added 09:07 - Aug 13 Good to see Stead is still going to be used. If I was McCormack I would be angry after the trip - its a long way. And Walters hasn't gone yet so I'm not to worried there is a long way to go on this deal. Any news on Scotland?
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Back_The_Boss added 09:09 - Aug 13 I doubt the deal will progress anymore now. Shame, McCormack's a decent player.
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Marcus added 09:11 - Aug 13 "I force no one out of the football club”... *cough*
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Marshalls_Mullet added 09:13 - Aug 13 Hope McCormack wasnt miffed about going to meet a potential new employer, doesnt seem too much to ask.
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FenboyBlue added 09:18 - Aug 13 This could've had the shorter headline: "Deals unbelievably far"
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wildblue added 09:19 - Aug 13 I can confirm that his girlfriend was driving the Range Rooney.
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itfc1981 added 09:20 - Aug 13 For Christ sake Keane you go on about wanting people with caracter, yet you try to ship out the Steadster!
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Tractor_Thief added 09:36 - Aug 13 I am still a bit confused why we would want to release Stead, he does well for us when he plays!
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legoman added 09:48 - Aug 13 McCormac sounds like a tw@t to me.
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Harry_Palmer added 09:56 - Aug 13 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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bluelady added 10:16 - Aug 13 does anyone else feel for poor Stead? same thing happened last season, he played some teriffic games was Keanos favourte striker for a while, came back after the ridiculous sending off and was again out of Keanes plans, this year he is told he isnt needed now he is told iff he carries on playing as he has he will be in the first 11, i'm dizzy writing that so goodness knows whats going on in that poor guys head! I agree with others on here a true character who clearly lives for football and loves the town so why are we getting rid??

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bluestreaker added 10:22 - Aug 13 This is that wonker of an agent willy makay(apt name willy) who obviously spoke to rk then told macormack to come up for a 800 mile chat that could have been done on the phone...I mentioned about this tosser yesterday doing the same thing with macormack with celtic last year. mack wants regular firsr team footy,and iguess it is the agent who is demanding to much not dave jones who would be happy with a straight loan swap deal for a season.

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rgrimes added 10:31 - Aug 13 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8910068.stm
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dobbie73 added 10:40 - Aug 13 Bear in mind that Keano may be using reverse psychology on Stead to try and improve him. After all, he has been threatened with a transfer, and the net result - he has played well in the last 2 games. Keane has said "you are not good enough, I'm letting you go", Stead's reply has effectively been "f*** you boss, I AM good enough, see?". Sometimes players need a good kick in the derriere - some (like Pablo) choose not to take it onboard and end up in the wilderness. Others (like Stead) up their game and win their place back. Strength of character! COYB!!

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blue_em_away added 10:59 - Aug 13 rgrimes And the point of that link is what????????
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Karlosfandangal added 11:05 - Aug 13 Still think that if Scotland come in then Priskin will drop to the bench as we will have Wickham as well. Stead would hardly play. Stead and Counago are both up for sale If Counago was to go it then Keane would keep Stead,Both are on good wages and the money would be used for Scotland/McCormacks wage, as there is no intrest in Counago, Stead will be the one to go. I think this will be a loan swap with a permant deal being done for McCormack stright cash and Stead coming back end of the season McCorrmack gave his shirt away on Wednesday signaling his last game for the club (will be intresting to see if he is the Cardiff team on Saturday) so he must be going somewhere pretty soon or at least think he is. Views anyone

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denhamblue added 11:16 - Aug 13 As i said 4 days ago,this will just fizzle out,dither,dither,and the scotland thing,um got doubts about that to.It seems its all been mouth and trousers when its concerning signings,very boring indead!
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dreblue added 11:40 - Aug 13 I dont want to be negative but all this transfer chat got boring weeks and weeks ago so here are my predictions: Scotland: HE will join us but wont be until next week McCormack: He will join someone else, most prob celtic Stead: He will stay and play well for a while then unfortunately he will drop of as he wont start much and confidence will drop Walters: HE will go but not for 3 mill, prob be about 2 million. LOAN SIGNING: We will get a young midfielder or defender for back up but nothing exciting. I really hope that if we dont get McCormack that Walters doesnt go as our squad id fragile as it is anyway! Team for Saturday: Fulop Peters McCauley Smtih O'Conner Norris Hyam (hopefully fit) Leadbitter Walter Priskin Townsend COYB!!!! Fingers crossed for a great result!

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PutYaBootsOnKeano added 11:58 - Aug 13 Footballer's disrespect clubs so so much. I'd be prepared to keep Steady on the basis that he is a good man, even though honestly; he's not a striker capable of winning us promotion. I find it just as frustrating as Roy that many players are, the way they are.
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dreblue added 12:05 - Aug 13 Ummmm I can see where some people are coming from about Stead been a good man but he isn't the role model that we all seem to think he is. Dont forget he TURNED DOWN PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL purely due to the fact that they couldnt afford his wages. So surely that makes him just as greedy as the others! (Pablo) Yes he prob loves the club and the fans and thats cos a) we are all behind him and b) town pay his high wages. I would love my boss if got that much money!!!!

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Surco72 added 12:42 - Aug 13 Or dreblue ..Steads wife has just had a baby ,they are settled in Ipswich nice area of the country ,bigger club ,bigger fan base, better ground ,club on the up or move to Blackpool or Bristol to run down cities ,and clubs that will lose more games than they win this season ? And out of the three clubs we are more likely to be in the premiership next season than any of them IMO In his position i certainly would not move my family miles around England to get less money ,good on you Steady stay and continue to prove yourself

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Karlosfandangal added 12:43 - Aug 13 derblue I agree my point would be that most fans throught the same about Garvan, Bruce and even Pablo when he was off to Swansea. If the reports are correct and he is on 12k a week he should really play his heart out. Same as Walters he played well for us and then we gave him a new improved contract. So he too should play his heart out. Thats around 600k a year plus bonuses for doing something most of us all dreamed of doing as a kid and it would take most of us 20-25 years to earn what they earn in a year.

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PutYaBootsOnKeano added 12:50 - Aug 13 Truth.
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renshaw added 13:03 - Aug 13 sort it out keano
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WickedBlue added 13:04 - Aug 13 Can't understand anyone having sympathy for a footballer because he might get transfered. Not on the money they earn plus bonuses etc. And all for kicking a ball around. As for this wasted trip etc, that was crap journalism trying to stir things so they can get a story. Or is McCormack stupid enough to believe that with his transfer involving a swap deal that he was going to sign before the player being swapped for him has agreed terms? I think not. As for whether we should get rid of Stead, for me it is purely up to Keane. He's the manager not me and as long as Ipswich are winning and challenging he can get rid of or sign who he wants to. I care about the club not players.

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