Town boss Roy Keane says today’s emergency loan deadline will see no moves in or out of Portman Road. The Town manager [said speaking at lunchtime that] there [had then] been no developments on Pim Balkestein’s proposed move to Brentford.
Keane said: "We’ll stick with the group of players we have. They’ve generally done well recently in terms of getting some victories under their belts, so we’ll stick with what we’ve got and we’ll get on with it.”
The Blues boss says that there has been no progress on Balkestein’s loan with a view to a permanent deal to Brentford: "There’s no news on that and I’m quite comfortable with that.
"Our squad’s not that big and people like Pim still might play a part between now and the end of the season particularly if there are injuries because there’s a busy few weeks ahead.”
Keane will be without striker Connor Wickham for Saturday's game against Swansea as the 16-year-old is away with England's U17s: "Connor is away for a week or so and we don't begrudge not having him around.
"He will only miss the Swansea game and it will be a good experience for him to be away with England. He will be with boys of his own age, as opposed to being around and playing against 30-year-olds.
"He will have to change his mindset. It will be a different set-up with England but if you are going to play at international level you have to get used to that.
"I want him to go away and enjoy it though, because it's great for any of our players to play international football."
The England youngsters play Sweden at Northampton’s Sixfields on Saturday, Malta at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium on Monday and Slovakia, again at Northampton, three days later.
Keane is hopeful that Wickham will sign his professional deal after he returns from England duty. The striker is 17 next Wednesday which means he is able to sign a pro deal.