Roy Keane says striker Pablo Couñago will not be in the squad for Saturday’s game at Middlesbrough. The Spaniard has spent much of pre-season in the reserves and was only a sub in Tuesday’s friendly with a Spurs XI.

The Blues boss confirmed that the 30-year-old isn’t injured but says he won’t travel to Teesside: “Pablo won’t be involved this weekend.”

Keane says he assesses players on what he sees from them in games and at Playford Road: “[I judge them] from what I see on the training pitch every day and what I see in matches. I judge my players on what I see on the training pitch.

“Players’ attitudes, desire to do well, hunger to train, passion for the game, heart, so he won’t be involved this weekend.”

Former Spain U21 international Couñago is understood to be a target of former Blues boss George Burley at Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Keane has revealed that Connor Wickham could be back slightly sooner than the six weeks initially expected when he picked up his ankle injury in training: “I’ve always worked along the lines that if someone says six or seven weeks I knock a week off that, particularly with a young boy.”

The Blues boss says the England U17 international is on holiday at present: “Connor’s away at the moment with his parents in Spain having a week off. Hopefully when he comes back from there with a bit of a tan, feeling better in himself and having had a bit of salt water on his foot, we may be able to knock a week or two off that, without being daft.”

Photo: Action Images

Guthrum added 17:55 - Aug 6 Some stats for strikers from the 2009-10 season (all competitions): Wickham - 10 app + 19 sub - 6 goals = 0.21 goals per app Walters - 45 app + 2 sub - 8 goals = 0.17 goals per app Stead - 13 app + 9 sub - 6 goals = 0.27 goals per app Priskin - 10 app + 9 sub - 2 goals = 0.11 goals per app Counago - 12 app + 17 sub - 3 goals = 0.10 goals per app Who was our least effective striker last season?

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jas0999 added 18:19 - Aug 6 Firstly I have always been a fan of Pablo's, but it's time to be realistic here. Pablo scored TWO goals last season - not 22!! It is clear from what Roy has said that he has lacked focus and passion in training and as such, those who have shown enthusiasm should be picked before him and yes if Martin has done okay in training and Pabl hasn't then Lee should get the nod. Pablo will no doubt sit tight and collect his money - as he did a few years back - and that's his choice, but I wish people wouldn't say he is loyal to Ipswich. Get real - he is here to pick up his pay cheque! As I say it's his choice, but at the least surely he should be trying in training?

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kentblue added 18:28 - Aug 6 Pablo left behind for the first match - Keane will end up fielding a five a side team before long the rate he falls out with other players/human beings ! I would rather Pablo went and left Keane behind !
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BlueArmy01 added 19:33 - Aug 6 Unless Keane goes soon there will be nothing left I dont know who the pro Keane supporters are but I work with about 30 town fans everyone without exception has had enough of Keane.............first time I think I have ever hoped for a bad start to the season but he needs to go before damage is too big..........
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kentblue added 07:16 - Aug 7 Agree with you BlueArmy01 - Keane sells / wants to sell anyone with skill or steps out of line( with him !). He just wants a bootcamp team regardless of ability and skill - Hope Keane has gone by Christmas ! and the nightmare will be over !
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carsey added 14:58 - Aug 7 Win lose or draw today Keanes a bloody disgrace to everything ITFC he doesn't belong here and after giving him the benefit of the doubt last year I have had enough. Pab's is Ipswich yes he can be typically Spanish and appear lazy or dis-interested but he does care. Keane will kill this club and the really sad thing is the owner doesn't give a sh*t about it either.
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cossy81 added 08:41 - Aug 9 i'm sorry but good servant that he is,i've never liked him as a player.he doesn't do enough to deserve a place in the starting line up.saw him at leiston in friendly where he should have grafted to prove keane wrong,he was awful and wouldn,t have looked out of place in ridgeons league!
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