Boss Roy Keane says he has been impressed by the players he inherited when he took over at Town at the end of the season. The Irishman led the Blues to successive victories in his two games in charge.

Keane told the club site: "I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw when I came in and there are some talented players here.

"The players trained hard in the two weeks I had with them and showed a good attitude and we won the two games.

"It could have been very different though. [Richard] Wright made a good save from the penalty at Cardiff when we were under the cosh and Coventry hit the bar in the last minute, so that could have been a draw, even though the game should have been dead and buried by then. So we had a bit of luck. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good!

"I saw a good side to the players though, in terms of attitude. You can get that when a new manager comes in. The time to judge the players is when we get going over the next few months.

"It's going to be a real test in the Championship with some tough away games and we'll find out what the players are like then. Some will inevitably fall by the wayside, it happens in football, but it's a challenge that I'm looking forward to and so should the players."

Meanwhile, released Leicester central defender Patrick Kisnorbo, who is understood to be on Keane's summer wish-list, has been sounded out regarding a return to Australia with Adelaide United. However, the ex-Hearts man would prefer to remain in England with Crystal Palace also believed to be interested in his signature.

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson says he expects midfielder Marvin Elliott to remain at Ashton Gate, despite press links with Town, Wolves and West Bromwich Albion: "There is a lot more speculation than truth in these sort of transfer stories, but it is always nice for Marvin to see his name linked with big clubs.

"He is definitely one we would like to keep and I am certain that he will be playing for us when the season gets under way."

West Brom have confirmed that Celtic have approached them regarding former Town skipper and coach Tony Mowbray taking over as manager at Parkhead. The Baggies say they won't allow the Glasgow giants to speak to Mowbray until they have agreed to a compensation package. The newly-relegated side are believed to want £2 million for Mowbray and assistant Mark Venus.

Elsewhere, former Town chairman David Sheepshanks is seeking to keep his place on the FA board as one of the two Football League representatives. Sheepshanks, who remains a club director, is one of four said to be in the running for the two roles, along with Middlesbrough's Keith Lamb, Adam Pearson from Derby County and Nic Parker from Sheffield Wednesday.

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