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Keane: Draw Fair Result, Murphy Out for Weeks - Ipswich Town News

Boss Roy Keane felt a point was probably the right result after the Blues drew 1-1 at Leicester. Town were hit by yet more bad news regarding a goalkeeper with new signing Brian Murphy probably out for several weeks having injured his ankle in the warm-up prior to the Foxes game.

Keane said: "A draw was probably about right but we are disappointed we didn't get the win, although Arran did make the best save of the game.

"Because we’ve had such a poor start to the season, it’s victories we’re after but Leicester are obviously having a good season and maybe it’s a point gained. I think we probably had the better of the chances but our keeper probably pulled off the best save.

"I don’t think it was a great game, our passing wasn’t up to scratch but I think we could have done better. We got the ideal start and we had some half chances but again we’ve not scored enough goals this season and despite the spirit and the efforts of the players, we’re lacking that cutting edge.

"I think we had the balance wrong when we went 1-0 up. I think we should have kept the ball a little bit better and we played too many long balls, which just invited trouble from our point of view.

"Draws won't get you too far up the table but I still think we are capable of having a good season, and that would include getting into the play-offs."

Keane revealed that new signing Murphy wouldn’t have been able to play had Arran Lee-Barrett picked up a knock during the game: "Brian was on the bench but he couldn't possibly have played and the ankle is pretty sore at the moment.

"It's possible that it's ankle ligaments and if that is the case, he could be out for a number of weeks.

"We've not had much luck with keepers this season. Shane Supple retired, Asmir Begovic went back to Portsmouth, then Wrighty got injured and now Brian.

"I've had ankle ligament injuries myself and they can take time to heal, so we will have to see what the scans show and take it from there."

The Blues boss gave Connor Wickham his first start since August and says he won his place in the side with his recent performances: "Connor’s there on merit, he’s been training really well. The last probably three or four games when he’s come on, he’s been a real threat for us and he’s earned the right to start today.

"He’s obviously got a chance of being a top player but again he’s learning his trade and I thought he did well today, considering he’s up against two good centre-halves, players that have been around a long time and were fairly tough with him. But that’s what Connor needs, he needs to learn his trade.”

Keane says that although he feels there are areas of his squad he needs to strengthen there won’t be too many players coming in during the January transfer window: "We won’t be doing much business I wouldn’t have thought. We’ve made enquiries for one or two players, but that’s as far as it’s gone.

"We’ve got one or two lads coming back from injury and the balance isn’t too bad. I’ve got a big squad, I’ve got a lot of good players who didn’t even travel with us, so I want to be careful and if I do bring one or two players to the club, then they’ll have to be of real quality and trying to get a player of that quality in January is very difficult, and it’s the same for every club.

Keane says he’s delighted to have midfielder David Norris back from his knee ligament injury: "It’s like having a new signing. He’s been a massive loss to us. He’s just getting up to speed with his match fitness. His passing will improve over the course of the next few months, but we’ve missed his tenacity and his energy.

"I’ve got a lot of time for David, he’s my type of player, he gets stuck in and he’s been a big plus for us over the last few weeks.

"I’m pretty sure that if he hadn’t got injured at the beginning of the season we wouldn’t be where we are in the league, which is a compliment to him.”

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson was disappointed with his side’s performance: "It wasn't a very good game and we struggled to get anything going in a positive manner.

"We didn't achieve the standards we have reached this season. We didn't look as solid as we have been in recent games. We were too open and they - Ipswich - enjoyed some potentially dangerous situations. But at least we've come out of it with something positive."

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