Boss Roy Keane says new loan signing Andros Townsend will go straight into his squad for Saturday’s home game against Burnley. The Town manager says it might take the Tottenham man a little while to settle in, but hopes he can make the same impression as Sunderland youngster Jack Colback last season.
Keane said: "The only chance we’ve got of getting loan players in from the big clubs is the young boys, like Jack last year.”
"The young boy Townsend came in this morning and my first impressions were very good. But we’re not expecting miracles immediately. He’s got to learn his trade like Jack.
"It took Jack two or three months to settle into the club last year, but in the second half of the season he was outstanding.”
Keane says Townsend could make his debut against Burnley on Saturday: "The boy will be involved in the squad, whether he’ll be in the starting XI, we’ll see. He’s come into the squad and has brought the average age down even further.
"He’s got a nice left foot, he’s a strong boy and obviously can deal with the ball. He’s recently been away with Tottenham. I’ve been speaking to Harry for a few weeks, I spoke to Tim Sherwood last week and they’ve been seeing what squad they’ve available and we got the thumbs up two days ago.”
Keane says Gareth McAuley returned to light training this morning after his back niggle, while Tamás Priskin, Márton Fülöp and Conor Hourihane returned from international duty without suffering any problems.
Central defender Troy Brown has been ruled out for the weekend with the ankle problem he suffered at Exeter, while midfielder Luke Hyam is a big doubt having taken a blow to a shin during Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie.