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.”

Photo: Action Images

TractorMan added 09:02 - Jan 3 So make it up as we go along then? There's a surprise!
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ozzydog added 09:09 - Jan 3 What a fcuking shambles Whats becoming obvious is that we have an owner with no bottle
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imalwayswrong added 09:14 - Jan 3 Do not buy colback as it will effect transfer budget and wage structure . I'm happy for town to reclaim as much money for priskin if the lad wants to leave. It's time for club to release RK, bring in a manager who is know for creative flowing football, bring back all the players on loan, that includes Pablo ! I'm hoping martin jol would like to live in Suffolk
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brittaniaman added 09:16 - Jan 3 It seems to me that Marcus Evans is reluctant to put anymore of his money in to the club. So Keano will have to wheel and deal with what he has got, and we all know that Keano is no wheeler and dealer, I am sorry to say, I do not think Clegg is either. That is probably why there is the hold up with the re-signing of our out of contract players and the Priskin rumours. !!!! BUT COYB !!!

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Manchesterblue added 09:20 - Jan 3 Would you give a manager who has only got six months left on his contract money to spend, what player in their right mind would want to come to a club which could be changing manager in the next six months. I am really worried by Evans and Cleggs inability to make a commintment to either get rid before this window opened or to offer him a new contract so he can re-build, time to make you mind up guys was a couple of weeks ago.

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Ipswich24 added 09:20 - Jan 3 Why all fuss about Colback for? He is same as Norris and Leadbitter we need good wide player who can beat players and get crosses in. Oh we had one few weeks ago in Townsend but Keane got rid we are a absolute joke. Tell me now proper football fans who love the beautiful game that would have Colback over Townsend?
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:27 - Jan 3 the ''January speculation window ''its boring ,same high hopes, same disapointments.It will just be a couple of loans end and couple of loans start,no big names out no big names in . All w have in front of us is hard fight to avoid the drop and then find a new manager,its as exciting as that .
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Bluetone added 09:40 - Jan 3 Coded interview for "I've lost the plot and the owner is bemused by my antics".
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RetroBlue added 09:41 - Jan 3 sounds to me like the final hours of Roy's tenure as Manager. ME will put more funds imnto the Club, but only when Roy's contract has expired and he has left the Club in the summer - the hope (prays?) is that we dont get relegated in the meantime !
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faith added 09:41 - Jan 3 the current structure of the club, does not have a clue in which direction it is going, Keane has tried but ultimatley failed we are no better now than when he started he sends mixed messages ie im not after a right back he then gets one i need a couple of attacking players a day after he lets townsend return. he has 6 months left i think they have given up on him and are just waiting for his contract to run out so he walks at no cost and then a new manager comes in and rebuilds, so another 2 years of medoicrity.

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blueherts added 09:43 - Jan 3 Quite right DirtyDM - Smoke and mirrors , Blah , Blah , Blah ... The more I look at Leicester , Leeds dare I say ( The Scum) plus other 'ex prem' teams who dropped to Div One - the progress made at Southampton etc - I am wondering whether we may not benefit from it ... I am tired of keane , tired of indecisivness and tired of poor football .. Confidence , as they say is all in football and interesting how many teams have dropped and come back much stronger . CONFIDENCE

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bluelady added 09:57 - Jan 3 Sounds to me like we are awaiting confirmation of a replacement then he will be on his way.......... play it bt ear means if your still here then u can loan some toot, if wr get the right replacement money will be available, my bet is hodgson.
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RetroBlue added 10:03 - Jan 3 take yer pcik form a whole host of out of work managers , or soon to be out of work. The new man , wont be a "nobody" though - that doesnt "fit" with the Evans corportae image!
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Daleyitfc added 10:14 - Jan 3 "Playing it by ear"? "Out on his ear", is what we need.
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GetInTheGameScowcrof added 10:14 - Jan 3 I'm guessing Evans doesn't want you to waste £1.7 million on a striker you don't even play and have shipped out on loan already, and are looking to get rid of him again! Irish Clown!
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marcusevans added 10:17 - Jan 3 I agree with you bluelady. I think Marcus is waiting for Woy Hodgson. I have heard he knows him personally from Marcus Evans Group providing corporate at Fulham. Get down the bookies!
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RYITFC added 10:24 - Jan 3 You bunch of f*****g cowards, Just tell us the truth, What do you mean play it by ear, You mean just bury ya head in the sand until February. Just honesty would be nice, It's so clear that there is no money to spend and all you will do is get a couple of loan players who are worse than the players we already have. Haven't got the balls to sack Keane, Don't want to part with there cash and back the manager. Sort it out Back him or Sack him.

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bluearmy4life added 10:33 - Jan 3 Evans you have made it clear you no longer backing Keane at least do the decent thing for the club and Keane and replace him. It's been long overdue.
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PSGBlue added 10:33 - Jan 3 Reading between the lines it seems ME will not give anymore money to Keane. Its a case of loaning our players out (Priskin) or sending loanees back (Townsend, Colback) to be able to get more loanees in. I doubt we will see any pernament deals at PR in the near future. Although this maybe good news as ME doesn't want to Keane waste anymore money before sacking him!
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bobble added 10:39 - Jan 3 still at least its summertime and the water is as warm as......cicadas screaming in the palm trees ..most of the day now i don't even think about the fool keane and what he is doing to our team and good reputation.........july is as long as the agony lasts isn't it ? hopefully there will be an earlier cure if the owner gets some sense
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bluearmy4life added 10:42 - Jan 3 We are serious relegation candidates again. We got out of this mess last year with better players this year I think we have a weaker team overall. I got a feeling unless we win today Keane is getting the chop!!!!!
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itfc1981 added 10:44 - Jan 3 wahooooo no money for you to waste
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RYITFC added 10:51 - Jan 3 You can imagine it now, Roy "Hello Marcus these are my transfer targets for January, Id like at least 3 or 4 of them", Marcus "Ok Roy we'll play it by ear" then just throwing the bit of paper in the bin. It just seems like they are almost scared of Keane and won't tell him the truth, They haven't got the balls to say no sorry you have wasted enuf money Roy we ain't giving you no more, But they will just avoid him like the plague for the next month or so, So they don't have to explain to him that they ain't going to spend no money. That's my Rant finished for the day, It's matchday COYB! A Scotland brace 2-0 Town.

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corinthian_blue added 10:54 - Jan 3 If Evans is not convinced that Keano is the manager to bring us forward then it makes total sense to only sign loanees as based on track record any signings will be the 'deadwood' the next manager has to ship out. There is already a sizeable pile of deadwood that has been bought by Keano and we don't need any more. The time to sack him was a month ago and i am at a total loss why he is still here ? Many people say we should give him more time - my problem with that is i do not accept the last 20 months as acceptable. I stuck with the club through the Duncaan years and this is definitely on a par (probably a lot worse when one factors in the budget Keano has had). If we are to sign a player in this window please make it a creative midfielder who can supply the balls to our forwards to give them a good chance of scoring rather than the half chances they have to snatch at. I only remember 1 classy killer ball all season and that was from Livermore. Time to show some leadership Mr Evans - the time for sitting on the fence is long gone.

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Keaneish added 11:00 - Jan 3 If Evans doesn't want to invest any money in transfers for Keane then it shows a vote of no confidence and rightly so. So the big question is, why are you putting up with this complete c**T Evans? Pay off his contract or ask him to do the decent thing and walk ala Strachan. He's a failure.
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