Town manager Roy Keane says he is no nearer to adding any new players to his squad, despite targeting two new signings by midweek after Saturday’s 3-1 win at Middlesbrough. In addition to the permanent additions, the Blues boss is also looking at bringing in some loan players with Town currently in the midst of an injury crisis.
Keane said: "We’re negotiating with clubs and we’re negotiating with players and agents, but I don’t think we’re any nearer to signing any more players than we were last week. It’s tough.
"There’s no progress at the moment, but I’m paid to focus on being a football manager and we’ve got a game tomorrow night and I’m working with the players available and not on potential targets.
"We’ve got an owner and a chief executive and I have to step back and please God let them negotiate and try and get the players into the club that we badly need. We need support because we’re short of numbers.”
The Blues boss wouldn’t be drawn on specific targets with Wigan’s Jason Scotland and Cardiff’s Ross McCormack believed to be in his sights: "We’ve spoken to a number of clubs about different players, different options. You get feedback on transfer fees and wages and you just want the opportunity to meet these players. We’ve interest in a number of players.
"We’re also waiting for one or two clubs to get back regarding loan players and we just have to take it a day at a time because, particularly with the injuries during the game on Saturday, I was hoping to have some positive news today, but it’s been fairly quiet.
"But I understand as well — and I know everyone thinks I’m very, very impatient — that we can’t be held to ransom as much as we need support. There are wage structures in place and we’ve got to negotiate like everyone else in football and at the moment these deals don’t look too close to being done. I hope they will be closer before the weekend.”
Keane, who says a midfielder and a defender, probably a full-back, are also on his wish-list in addition to attacking players, confirmed that he is likely to play a very young side at Exeter on Tuesday with Gareth McAuley set to be rested having been withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad with a back injury. David Norris and Grant Leadbitter also complained of stiff backs after Saturday’s game but are expected to play some part against the Grecians.
Carlos Edwards and Mark Kennedy are to undergo scans this afternoon on groin and hamstring injuries respectively. Edwards is likely to be out for a month, but Kennedy will probably be back in a fortnight.
Shane O'Connor had a virus over the weekend but is expected to be fine to make the trip to the West Country after training yesterday.
Tamás Priskin has reported for international duty with Hungary but was complaining of an ankle problem late on at Middlesbrough and may well be withdrawn from the squad facing England at Wembley.