x

Keane Yet to Consider Long-Term Deals for Sunderland Pair - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Roy Keane says he is yet to consider whether the Blues will look at signing new loan strike pair Daryl Murphy and David Healy on a permanent basis in the summer. The duo joined Town from Sunderland on half-season loans on Monday.

Keane said: ”We’ve not even thought about it, to be honest with you. What you find when we’ve spoken to clubs, particularly when you’re trying to get players from the Premiership, is that they’re on decent money and rightly so, they’ve earned the move to warrant the contract.

”No doubt if the two boys score 20 goals between them, we’ll have a look at it in the summer. But they’ve only been here 24/48 hours, let’s see how it pans out.”

The Blues boss confirmed that Murphy will be seen as a striker rather than a left-sided midfielder and that the pair could go straight into Saturday’s side facing Middlesbrough at Portman Road.

Keane says the new additions can net the goals to take the Blues away from the relegation zone: "The two new lads will give us something a bit different to the other strikers we have here.

"I hope that they score goals, especially David, who is more of a goalscorer than Murph. But Murph too has got goals for me in the Championship.

"I decided we had to shake up things, especially after last Saturday. I got two in, but I was hoping to get one or two more in as well. That's something I'll be hoping to address from next week.”

Keane confirmed that it is defensive areas that he will be looking to cover with these further loan additions.

The Blues are still likely to without the injured Jon Walters and Brian Murphy for Saturday's game, while new midfield signing Devann Yao is likely to be given his first public run-out in a Town shirt for the reserves next Wednesday at Norwich.

What to read next:

U21s Beaten By Fulham
Town’s U21s fell to only their second Premier League 2 defeat of the season as they were beaten 2-1 by Fulham at the JobServe Community Stadium this evening.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
McKenna: FA Cup Still Special
Boss Kieran McKenna believes the FA Cup is still a special competition ahead of the Blues’ third round tie against League One Blackpool at Portman Road on Saturday.
Town Move On From Bamford
Town have ended their pursuit of Sheffield United striker Patrick Bamford having held talks with the 32-year-old.
Fortuna Blues in Town Marking 20th Anniversary With Commemorative Scarf
The Fortuna Blues are back in town this weekend for Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Blackpool, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first trip to Suffolk with a commemorative scarf.
McKenna: Over a Big, Big Loss to the Club
Blues manager Kieran McKenna has paid tribute to club ambassador, PLC chairman and Ipswich Town Foundation trustee Peter Over, who died suddenly on Sunday, aged 63.
McKenna Happy With Christmas Points Return, Frustrated By Portsmouth Postponement
Blues manager Kieran McKenna was pleased with his side’s haul of 10 points from 12 over Christmas but admitted the postponement at Portsmouth last Sunday was frustrating.
McKenna: Hopefully Sheehan Will Stay With the Club in Some Capacity
Kieran McKenna hopes Joe Sheehan, who left his role as manager of Town Women earlier this week, remains at the club.
McKenna: Humphreys a Player We Rate Very Highly
Boss Kieran McKenna says midfielder Cameron Humphreys, who has joined League One promotion hopefuls Huddersfield Town for the rest of the season, has been unlucky not to have played more regularly for the Blues during the first half of the campaign.
Young: You Want to Win Every Competition You're In
FA Cup winner Ashley Young is not short of belief that he could add a second winners’ medal to his collection as Town prepare to start their campaign against Blackpool this weekend.