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Keane Set for Target Talks - Ipswich Town News

Blues boss Roy Keane says he doesn’t yet know whether any players will be moving either in or out of Portman Road before this Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Chelsea, but is expecting to speak to a manager regarding a target today.

Keane revealed last week that the Blues had received loan interest in a senior player, with Swansea understood to be chasing Tamás Priskin, and he says he has spoken with various bosses recently: "We’ve had a loan offer and we’ve had conversations. I’m not trying to be clever with you. You have loads of conversations with different managers. Some make enquiries, some follow them up, just like we have.

"I’m due to speak to a manager [on Tuesday], he’s going to get back to me regarding a player. I think it changes by the day, I suppose with the transfer window being open it changes hour by hour.”

Speaking after last night’s game, the Blues boss said that losing to Forest didn’t mean he was intensifying his search for new signings: "I’ve been keen to strengthen for the last 16 or 17 months, so the next few days won’t make a difference. I won’t be on the phone tonight. That won’t speed up where we need to go as a football club.

"We’re looking at two players, that’s what we’re trying to bring to the club and trust me, as soon as any deals are done, I’m sure you’ll be the first to know.

"At the moment, there’s no news on any players, whether they’re coming or going. Please God, when I’m due to speak to you on Thursday or Friday, hopefully I’ll have news for you.”

Asked whether Priskin is set to join Swansea, the Town manager said: "Not as of today. Tamás, along with young Rooney [Ronan Murray] and one or two of our other young boys, will be playing for the reserves [in a behind closed doors friendly against Crystal Palace] on Tuesday because he hasn’t been involved in the last couple of games. That’s standard.

"Tamás nearly made it for the Forest game but young Rooney’s done well in training, Rory’s been a handful, Connor’s had his first 90 minutes, while Jason has had two games in three days. Tamás has got a bit of competition, he’s just missed out over the last few games. There’s no problem with Tamás."

Colin Healy, Luciano Civelli, Reggie Lambe, Conor Hourihane and Jack Ainsley are also in the reserves side facing the Eagles second string.

Keane, who fears that the Blues could lose Jack Colback after his loan spell ends on January 14th, says there have been no further developments regarding the current loan players.

The Blues boss feels that recruiting senior temporary signings is not a simple business with a specific target, perhaps Andy O'Brien who is set to join Leeds, having proved hard to persuade to move to Suffolk: "Attracting loan players is always difficult, particularly experienced players because of our location.

"Don’t be expecting two or three loan players coming in over the next few days. It might have to be one or two young players who are quite happy to move away from their families.

"Hopefully the lads we might be looking at won’t be married or have kids so they can put up with staying in a hotel for a couple of months and are young, hungry and want to do well.”

Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday boss Alan Irvine is reported to have denied making Plymouth a bid for on-loan Town striker Rory Fallon.

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