x

Keane: No Mass Invasion - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Roy Keane says he's not planning to make a huge number of changes to the Blues squad in the summer. Keane's spell as manager at Sunderland saw a huge turnaround in personnel, but the Irishman seems more impressed with the squad he is inheriting at Portman Road.

After Saturday's game, the former Manchester United man said that there will be no major changes in the close season, despite being handed a significant budget for new players: "There will be no mass invasion of players to Portman Road.

"There will not be the wheeling and dealing like there was when I was in charge at Sunderland.”

Keane says that he had no choice but to allow striker Jon Stead to leave Sunderland during his spell with the Black Cats when then-Premier League Sheffield United came calling: "People will say I sold him before but at that time we were near the bottom of the Championship and he went into the Premier League with Sheffield United. I couldn't stand in the lad's way.

"He is a bit older now and hopefully he has found his right club. I had no defenders on the bench, so brought Jon on when Alex Bruce was injured.

"You want your substitutes to be ready to make a difference and not just daydream on the bench. I'm very happy to have Jon here.”

Keane was also impressed with Matt Richards, who hadn't played for Town since the 3-0 home victory over Plymouth in March 2007: "He trained well for a couple of days and Matt had a good game - he showed up well."

Richards is one of 13 players out of contract at the end of the season, along with Alex Bruce, Shane Supple, Iván Campo, Dan Harding, Chris Casement, Dean Bowditch, Liam Trotter, Kurt Robinson, Billy Clarke, Tommy Miller, Jai Reason and Ed Upson.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
McKenna: Barbrook a Big Positive, Trio of Youngsters to Be Assessed Over the Next Month
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says 20-year-old midfielder Fin Barbrook has been a been a “big positive” of pre-season and that decisions will be made on where he and fellow youngsters Cameron Humphreys and Elkan Baggott will spend their campaigns over the course of the next month.
Women Defeated By Wolves in Friendly
Ipswich Town Women kicked off their pre-season campaign against FAWNL Northern Premier Division club Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Martello Ground, Felixstowe this afternoon, but fell to a 4-1 defeat at their former home ground.
Town Women Sign Midfielder Baigent
Ipswich Town Women have signed defensive midfielder Sophie Baigent on a permanent deal from Hashtag United.
Neom Linked With New Cajuste Approach
Saudi Arabian club Neom are reported to have made a renewed move for Blues target Jens Cajuste.
Former Blues Defender Smith Joins Braintree
Former Blues centre-half Tommy Smith has joined National League Braintree Town.
Town Women Host Wolves in Friendly
Ipswich Town Women play their first public friendly of pre-season against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Martello Ground in Felixstowe this afternoon (KO 2pm).
Azón 'Wants Future Settled This Week'
Blues loan target Ivan Azón hopes to settle his future this week with Valencia still his preferred destination, it is being reported in Spain.
McKenna: A Tough Game, an Increase in Challenge
Manager Kieran McKenna felt today’s 3-0 victory away against French Ligue 1 side Auxerre was a tough game and an increase in challenge in the final fixture of pre-season and has been pleased with the way preparations for the campaign ahead have gone over the last few weeks.
McKenna: Townsend and Philogene Injuries Don't Look Great
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says the injuries suffered by Conor Townsend and Jaden Philogene don’t look great, while Leif Davis missed out due to a knock and Harry Clarke could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but keeper Aro Muric is making good progress.