x

Keane Looking for Two More Strikers - Ipswich Town News

Boss Roy Keane has confirmed that he is looking to add two strikers to his squad before the transfer window ends on August 31st. The Blues' boss was spotted at Watford on Saturday, with Hornets' frontman Tamás Priskin understood to be the reason for his trip.

Keane told the club site: In terms of numbers we are covered defensively and we are OK in midfield.

"I'd like to add to our attacking positions, though. We've got some good young prospects, lads like Connor and Reggie, Lee Martin can play off the front, Jon Walters can do a job there and obviously Jon Stead.

"Hopefully, Pablo will be back in the group soon when he gets over the injury, but maybe we need another one or two strikers in. There is a lot of work to be done though before that happens, trust me."

Keane, however, suggests that one move may not be too far from being completed: "There is the possibility something can be done in the next 24 hours."

That man may not necessarily be a striker though, with Keane saying that a midfielder is also on his radar: "I might be close to signing another midfielder in the next few days."

While no midfielders have been strongly linked in recent weeks, Celta Vigo youngster Joselu is another striker understood to be on the Town manager's wish-list. The 19-year-old is likely to command a fee of around €2 million (£1.7 million).

Meanwhile, Keane says the fee Town will receive for striker Jordan Rhodes from Huddersfield will reflect the 19-year-old's success with the Terriers.

Rhodes joined Huddersfield last week for a fee which will ultimately be worth £850,000 with the larger part of that cash up front.

Keane says the bid was too good to snub for a player who was most likely to be a regular sub rather than a starter this season: "The offer that came in was acceptable. I'm under no illusion that, unfortunately, I have to let one or two players go to bring in one or two of my own players.

"I have already paid out to bring in Lee Martin and Damien Delaney and the club spent decent money last year, so you can't hold on to everybody.

"As much as I think Jordan has a good chance, that will be reflected in the fee and what will come in for him over the next few years.

"It was certainly a difficult decision without a shadow of a doubt, but that is part of my job."

Chief executive Simon Clegg says the Blues will continue to consider bids if they are made: "We need to look at offers when they come in and when we get realistic offers even for good players then on occasions we are going to have to let those players go.

"I have made it clear that I intend to run this club on very tight financial reins, although this was a football decision. Roy and I work very closely on all of these matters."

Elsewhere, former Blues boss Jim Magilton says his squad at QPR is better than the one he left at Portman Road: "There is more quality here without any shadow of a doubt. There’s more quality all over the park and more experience too.

"The application and attitude of the players has been first class from the moment I arrived.

"We're now hoping to get off to a good start and build from there. I feel we're ready for next week now - the players have set the standard."

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Rosenior: I Couldn't Be Prouder of My Players
Hull City manager Liam Rosenior said he couldn’t have been prouder of his players following last night’s 3-3 draw with Town which keeps the Tigers hopes of making the play-offs alive going into their final match and wished the Blues well for the remainder of the campaign.
Hull City 3-3 Ipswich Town - Highlights
Highlights of yesterday’s 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
Luongo: We're Enjoying the Ride
Town midfielder Massimo Luongo says the squad are enjoying the ride of playing in high pressure games as the Blues moved a point closer to the Premier League following a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
McKenna: Davis Limping Pretty Heavily
Town boss Kieran McKenna says left-back Leif Davis was limping heavily following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
McKenna: What a Wonderful Position to Be In
Town boss Kieran McKenna reflected on the wonderful position his side is in following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
Hull City 3-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Town moved level on points with second-placed Leeds United following a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium having been in front three times. Returning striker George Hirst put the Blues in front in the 19th minute but the Tigers levelled on 40 through Ozan Tufan before Omari Hutchinson put Town back ahead with the first of two brilliant goals. However, Hull equalised again through Liam Delap in the 56th minute, then Hutchinson’s second put the Blues ahead again, however, Tigers sub Noah Ohio grabbed a point for the East Yorkshire side with three minutes remaining and the Blues were unable to take late chances to win it.
Hull City 3-3 Ipswich Town - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Hull City 1-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from George Hirst and Omari Hutchinson have given Town a 2-1 half-time lead over Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
Hirst and Burns Start at Hull
George Hirst and Wes Burns both start for the Blues in this evening’s live-on-Sky game at Hull City.