Town boss Roy Keane isn’t ruling out making an attempt to lure ex-England central defender Sol Campbell to Portman Road. The former Arsenal and Spurs star sensationally quit Notts County earlier this week only a matter of days into a five-year contract with the League Two club.
Keane says that the Blues have made no progress on making loan signings this week but are continuing to look for additions to the squad and admitted that he could be interested in 35-year-old Campbell: "Maybe so. I’m sure Sol, if he can play, I don’t know the situation with his contract, will have plenty of options as he’s a good player, but we’ll see.”
The Town boss says Campbell was probably right to leave Notts County if he wasn't enjoying life in the lower leagues: "He’s had a bit of criticism over the last one or two days but I admire people who are brave enough to make a decision if it’s not working out. Trust me, there are a lot of players in different clubs up and down the country sitting on their contracts picking their wages.
"At least Sol was brave enough to say ‘listen, it's not happening’, and that’s got to be admired. Obviously you don’t want players breaking their contracts every week, but if it’s not working out and he’s not happy, like Notts County said themselves, you don’t want a player who’s unhappy.
Keane says he is as yet unaware whether Campbell is still officially a Notts County player and therefore able to go on loan to a Football League club or if his contract as been formally ended: "We don’t know the ins and outs of it because I had the same situation with my contract when I left United, I couldn’t sign for anyone until January, even though I was told different, but that’s another story.
"If his contract has been terminated then I don’t think he can play for anybody, but we’re interested in any player that’s out there and available and we think could come in and strengthen our squad. It’s a big if, it would be a long shot, no doubt.”
Keane says he hasn’t heard from any managers regarding his players since Tuesday’s reserve game, with Lincoln City caretaker-boss Simon Clark revealing his interest in two unnamed Town players yesterday.
The Blues boss says he would consider loan spells for youngsters such as Bermudian international winger Reggie Lambe, who scored a hat-trick in Tuesday’s game against Stevenage Borough: "Possibly so for people like Reggie. He’s a good young player. Reggie’s done well. Going out and getting some games in the real world is sometimes good experience for these players.
"We know there are always people watching these reserve matches and if someone makes the call, I’m very open-minded for our young players to go out and get some games.”