Blues boss Roy Keane says he has spoken to club owner Marcus Evans and the Blues will be playing the January transfer window “by ear”. On Thursday Keane outlined his targets, which include adding to his striking options.
Keane confirmed that he had spoken to Evans late last week: "I’ve had conversations with the owner and we’re playing it by ear, shall we say.”
The Irishman says his targets could switch depending on the situation with the club’s loan players: "That might change because people automatically think that loan players like Jack Colback are going to stay. If Jack doesn’t want to stay on loan, then goalposts are moved and all of a sudden budgets are moved.”
Keane says that he will continue talks with Sunderland regarding Colback’s future later this week: "I’ve had conversations with Brucey and I said I’d follow it up again next week. But because ourselves and Sunderland might have an agreement that doesn’t mean that Jack will have an agreement with the club.
"I’ve not had any confirmation yet from Sunderland. A lot can happen over the next few weeks — Brucey might get a few injuries, he’s had a few already and I’ve said already that there comes a point in a player’s career when he’s been out on loan a few times and wants to draw a line under it.
"Jack Colback’s an intelligent boy. If you were in his shoes, you’ve been on loan a couple of times and you’re in a hotel in Ipswich, that novelty wears off after a while. He’s got to look after himself.
"He’s clever and he’s obviously getting advice and I wouldn’t knock him for that, I would do the same thing if I were him.”
Colback has told the Blues boss that it might be time for him to settle down at a club when his spell comes to an end on January 14th: "I’ve had a conversation with Jack and sometimes a player wants something more permanent, which I understand 100%.
"Don’t think every player wants to go out on loan. What’s the benefit to Jack of going on loan at Ipswich? Some players want a bit of security, a bit of certainty about where their future lies.
"Jack went back to Sunderland, Brucey’s got a big, strong squad there and he let him come back to us again.
"We’ve not got an agreement with Sunderland and even then if you think that because we get that part done it’s going to be a done deal, after my conversations with Jack, there’s plenty of work to be done.”
Keane says he and the 21-year-old have not discussed the possibility of a permanent move in any depth: "We’ve not had that conversation yet, it depends what Sunderland might look for.
"If you think Jack Colback’s going to be cheap, Brucey’s sold some young players over the last year or two, Martyn Waghorn [who joined Leicester for £3 million last summer] and people like that for big money.
"Yes, of course, I’d like to sign him. But it’s dangerous having this conversation because he’s under contract at Sunderland. Jack Colback is my type of player, you know what you’re going to get with him — honesty, he’s hungry, he did well last year. But there’s a long way to go on that yet.”
The Town manager is worried that the Blues might not be able to afford to pay what the Black Cats would be after: "If we can’t agree a fee with Sunderland, and we might not have any money to spend on Jack, then Jack will be going back or, worst case scenario, he’ll be going to another club, permanently.”
Keane says he’s yet to hold similar discussions with the club’s other loan players: "I’ve not had those conversations yet with Darren, Rory or Jake, but we’ve got two or three weeks to play with and things change on a daily basis at football clubs. I don’t even like having the conversations because a lot can change.”