x

Keane: Players May Have to Be Sold to Fund New Signings - Ipswich Town News

Manager Roy Keane says he’s yet to speak to owner Marcus Evans and chief executive Simon Clegg about the club’s January transfer plans. Clegg has confirmed that there will be money to spend, but the Blues boss has not ruled out players moving on to fund new additions to the squad.

Keane said: "I’ve not had that conversation yet. It might depend on moving one or two players out, maybe that’s what we have to do next.

"I don’t think our squad is strong enough at the moment, particularly with the one or two injuries we have, but it’s also a case of having to make changes, changing certain players.”

The Town manager says plenty of other clubs will also be looking to similarly shake up their squads: "We need to freshen up, but I think every club will be saying the same. It’s only the big boys who have been able to strengthen their squads in the summer. I think they are the only clubs who will be reluctant to do anything in January.

"A lot of lower Premier League clubs and Championship clubs will take that opportunity to mix things up a little bit.

"Whether it’s getting one or two more loan players in because we have to make decisions about the players who are here on loan, but clearly we need more of a goal threat in the team. We haven’t got that.”

Speculation regarding the future of Connor Wickham, the club’s most saleable asset, has continued in recent weeks with Simon Clegg dismissing claims of concrete bids having been made at last week’s AGM, but conceding that all players have their price: "There are no offers on the table for Connor, there is a lot of speculation, a lot of hot air out there. Roy and myself are clear that we’d like to retain him, as indeed is the owner.

"But you may get to the point in the future where the offer for the player is considerably in excess of the value that we place on him as a club and financially it would be wrong not to take that.

"If you find yourself in that situation, you would expect that money to be reinvested to replace that particular player as that would be a huge loss for the team and that hole would need to be filled.”

Meanwhile, Bermuda U20s head coach Gary Darrell says Town winger Reggie Lambe is "not likely" to be able to join up with his squad for a Caribbean tournament over Christmas. The 19-year-old will be needed at Portman Road as cover during the busy period of festive fixtures.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Rosenior: I Couldn't Be Prouder of My Players
Hull City manager Liam Rosenior said he couldn’t have been prouder of his players following last night’s 3-3 draw with Town which keeps the Tigers hopes of making the play-offs alive going into their final match and wished the Blues well for the remainder of the campaign.
Hull City 3-3 Ipswich Town - Highlights
Highlights of yesterday’s 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
Luongo: We're Enjoying the Ride
Town midfielder Massimo Luongo says the squad are enjoying the ride of playing in high pressure games as the Blues moved a point closer to the Premier League following a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
McKenna: Davis Limping Pretty Heavily
Town boss Kieran McKenna says left-back Leif Davis was limping heavily following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
McKenna: What a Wonderful Position to Be In
Town boss Kieran McKenna reflected on the wonderful position his side is in following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
Hull City 3-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Town moved level on points with second-placed Leeds United following a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium having been in front three times. Returning striker George Hirst put the Blues in front in the 19th minute but the Tigers levelled on 40 through Ozan Tufan before Omari Hutchinson put Town back ahead with the first of two brilliant goals. However, Hull equalised again through Liam Delap in the 56th minute, then Hutchinson’s second put the Blues ahead again, however, Tigers sub Noah Ohio grabbed a point for the East Yorkshire side with three minutes remaining and the Blues were unable to take late chances to win it.
Hull City 3-3 Ipswich Town - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Hull City 1-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from George Hirst and Omari Hutchinson have given Town a 2-1 half-time lead over Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
Hirst and Burns Start at Hull
George Hirst and Wes Burns both start for the Blues in this evening’s live-on-Sky game at Hull City.