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

Mungo added 11:09 - Jan 3 I don't know why some people on here (who haven't pumped £20m into the club) are so critical of ME for being reluctant to give RK more money to fritter away on mediocre signings. ME has spent a fortune trying to build a squad capable of promotion. The project started well enough but has been seriously undermined by the ineptitude of RK and SC. I'd be fed up with these clowns too and I can't say I'd be excited about the thought of handing over a few more million to bring in a few more average players on massively inappropriate salaries... As a fan, I can't say I'm too excited about the potential signings lined up (or the inevitable verbal garbage to come from RK and SC when things go wrong!) by RK. I'm convinced that his targets are inappropriate in one way or another and I genuinely believe a change of direction is needed if the club is to avoid relegation this season.

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blue_floyd added 11:34 - Jan 3 Come on Marcus. You've got to speculate to accumulate. If you back Keane as much as you say you do, then give him money for transfers. Or are you just counting out time till the end of his contract when hopefully he'll walk?
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Suffolk_n_Good added 11:38 - Jan 3 I don't blame ME for not giving RK another penny!! but at the same time if thats the stance ME has taken then surely thats a signal that he's not prepared to back the manager anymore. So what next? ME seems reluctant to fire RK, Rk won't walk, who suffers?........The club, The fans, The players. Ultimately ME has to ask himself this question: "Which option do I dislike the most, paying off RK's contract no matter how much that costs?"OR "Back RK til the end of his contract, but accept that it may mean relegation?......... TIME TO MAKE A DECISION ME< YOU ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.......

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pinablue added 12:12 - Jan 3 Playing by Ear; maybe ME is beginning to listen then; here's hoping. Pardon? I said maybe ME is beginning to listen!!!
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urbanblue added 12:15 - Jan 3 Let's play it by ear .... If ever there was an ominous sign for Roy that was it. It's the sort of thing a boss would say to an employee before sacking him. It's the sort of comment someone would make to a partner before dumping them. Wouldn't surprise me if ME was negotiating with someone as we all speculate. Could produce a last throw of the dice for our manager. Conor and Tamas up front anyone ?

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ArnieM added 12:16 - Jan 3 I dont think people are annoyed with Evans - fans are not mugs, and can see and have been saying for weeks that RK should be either backed or sacked. What the fans dont like is the apprent indecison by Evans regarding RK and appearing to not grasp the simple fact that failure to act , might mean Town get releagted. I dont even think its anything to do with RK's remaining contract cost - in the grand scale of things , that probably isnt worth that much compared to what ME has already shelled out.

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Lightningboy added 12:16 - Jan 3 Sounds to me like ME can't afford to sack Keano the Clown, so he's not going to give the clown anymore cash to squander, so he's hoping and praying that the clown avoids relegation, so he can appoint a football manager when the clown's gone. ..... It's about time we started playing our games in a Big Top.
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marcusevans added 12:17 - Jan 3 The dismissal of Woy Hodgson at Liverpool will dictate the sequence of events. There is no point in sacking Keane unless a viable alternative actually wants the job. We've all talked about Hoddle, Curbishley etc but what if these people have turned us down already?
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tallguy6767 added 12:18 - Jan 3 It seems ME is trying to make keane walk away rather than sack him, by not giving him any more funds, some might say a shrewd move, but one things for sure were no further forward now than when keane walked through the door 18 months ago! Had he not bottled out of sacking him at the end of last season we might be challangeing for promotion now instead of facing a relegation battle. I think his commitment to this club will be judged on who he gets in as keanes replacement and what funds he gives them. untill that day arrives expect much more of the same dross that we have wittnessed over the last season and a half!! RUBBISH !

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Lightningboy added 12:28 - Jan 3 I think it's fairly obvious that these upcoming cup matches are the only thing that have kept Keane in the job..once they're both out of the way a change will be made. New manager in by the end of the month?..surely it'll cost less to pay keane off by then than impending relegation?..then again look at how norwich have "regenerated" since getting relegated..maybe it's just what we need!! Burley,Curbishley,Wilkins,Magilton,Hughton...i'd be more than happy with any of them.

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Mark added 12:46 - Jan 3 I say sack Keane tomorrow. If he stays a few more matches, a new manager will not have time to do any buying and selling before the transfer window closes. If he stays until the end of the season, season ticket sales will slump. Keane out!
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denhamblue added 13:26 - Jan 3 Corinthian blue,totaly with you mate.I watched the john duncan era,and never thougt id see worse.Im not fickle as anyone who attended those days deserved a medal.However ,it is worse overal now.So dare i say duncan in!
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bluearmy4life added 13:44 - Jan 3 Shall we go to the game today? Maybe. I'm playing it by ear!!!!!!
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Town_Boy added 13:45 - Jan 3 Not too bothered about colback joining tbh
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blueherts added 13:55 - Jan 3 Totally agree Lighteningboy - We should take a good look at our oppo today as yet another example of how teams can go drop down to Div One ..rebuild - start playing football and winning ...
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h32 added 14:45 - Jan 3 Does ANYONE know ANYTHING at this Club called Ipswich Town ANYMORE. Yet ANOTHER weekend full of if's, but's, maybe's, should have been's, would have been's, if only's, - who the h-ll knows what is happening at this club, other than 'we are sinking fast. NO ONE it seems. Let's just 'hope' we win today - and KNOW that afterwards.
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h32 added 15:27 - Jan 3 How has running this Football Club successfully, become so complicated ?? I become more confused, disillusioned, and even more lost for words by the day, and of course the embarrassment level is increasing with that 'lot down the road' making it all look so easy. Many of you MUST feel the same - even the very hardcore people, who believe in 'keeping the faith' above everything.

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jas0999 added 19:56 - Jan 3 Very worrying. Yes, people are right to moan about Roy. But does Evans/Clegg know what they are doing?! Playing it by ear in our position?! Embarrassing!!!
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bobble added 21:27 - Jan 3 ear ear hopefully roy will leg it cause he nose nothing .eye thought he showed to much cheek and is always mouthing off . lets face it he has to shoulder all the blame hes done so much arm to the club he has no spine and is a complete ars- you have got to hand it to the fans who have waited so long before giving him the finger.glad i got that off my chest
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debendavey added 00:29 - Jan 4 Charlie Austin - now there's a goalscorer. 30 league goals in 50 league appearences. That is the sort of lower-league player we should go looking for. Hull are rumoured to be offering £1.2m - well worth it in my opinion.
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Pessimistic added 15:07 - Jan 4 Come on people give Roy a bit more support! He has been unlucky with injuries of late and some horrible refeeing decisions. trust me on this, he will come good and all he really needs is a bit more time. The moaners are the same ones that wanted Keane in and wanted Royle and Magillton out. They are our fairweather friends but true supporters support not just when the sun shines! KEANO KEANO KEANO!!!

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