Hull City have confirmed the release of striker Will Keane, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Portman Road.

The Tigers had an option to keep the former Manchester United trainee for a further season but decided not to take it up meaning the 26-year-old is now available on a free transfer.

Keane joined Town in January and scored three goals in nine starts and two sub appearances but spent much of his time in Suffolk on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.

But despite the injury, manager Paul Lambert has said he’d like the Mancunian, who recently switched international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland, to join his squad on a permanent basis if it was possible.

“I don’t know, again the money side of it plays a big part, there’s no getting away from that. There’s got to be a realistic view to it,” the Blues manager said last month when quizzed on the chances of Keane signing in the summer while the former England U21 international was out with his injury.

“I don’t need to see Will any more times, I know exactly what he can do. I saw him before in previous years, I know exactly what he can do.

“I know he’s had his injuries from the past and the bad one with his knee and he’s picked up a hamstring problem with us.

“I go back to it, I don’t know what he’d done before [he came to Town], how fit he was before, but one thing is for sure, I know he was playing really well here when he did get injured and he scored three goals and losing him was a blow because he was playing really, really well and scoring.

“Will, he doesn’t need to prove anything to me, I know what he can do. I know Marcus is talking to his agent, so let’s see.”

Asked whether it was a deal he’d like to do if it could be done, he added: “I think he’d be great for us, yes. I think he’d be great.”

Speaking in January, Keane said he’d be interested in a permanent move to the Blues even if they were in League One.

“Yes, definitely. I’ve been really impressed by the size of the club and all the facilities — training ground and stadium — as well as the fans,” he said.

“You can see it’s a great set-up and something I’ve really enjoyed being a part of so far.

“I’m enjoying it here and feeling settled. I’ve moved into a place in the last couple of weeks, which has been nice, and the lads have been telling me about a few nice places to go.

"I’ve also got my partner and our baby here now so that always helps as well.”

Town are already on the verge of completing the signing of Tranmere striker James Norwood on a free transfer but Lambert will be looking to add more than just one frontman to his squad this summer.

That could see one or more of the strikers already at the club depart. We understand Blackburn Rovers showed interest in both Ellis Harrison and Kayden Jackson in January which could well be revived over the summer.

Photo: TWTD

juniorblue added 12:12 - May 18 This is a difficult one to judge. If he can stay fit could be an asset in League 1. Maybe PL should look at him in pre-season and then make a decision. I do agree though that Town do not want to slip back in to signing players that no one else seems to want.
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SouperJim added 12:13 - May 18 A modest wage plus a top up for each appearance could be a good approach. Motivate him to stay fit and playing.
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DiamondGezzer added 12:14 - May 18 I think we are all forgetting about Freddie Sears chaps. When injury free, I think he has something to offer !
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Ipswichbusiness added 12:15 - May 18 All down to what we can't know; wages and fitness. Fit and at the right wages, I'd have him. If we sign both him and Norwood then I expect one of Harrison and Jackson to go.
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positivity added 12:54 - May 18 all down to the wages, would happily take him on a low wage with performance related bonuses, but there's a reason why championship clubs are looking at harrison and jackson, whereas keane's been released by one...
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 12:58 - May 18 I'm not so sure Keane would remain fit long enough, I'm sure he could do a job but we still have Sears, Lankaster, Jackson, Harrison, hopefully Norwood and Judge if played at his preferred position, I wouldn't mind betting Jackson and Harrison with GOOD SERVICE, would score quite a few in L1. We should be looking at our defence, that's my biggest concern, not our midfield or strikers!

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Suffolkboy added 13:06 - May 18 Just look at our deficiencies last season – we hadn't strikers to score ,nor mid fielders to do the job( & for how long have we said more goals from mid field are needed ?) ; so we need to look carefully throughout the 11 , & there are recognisable gaps / potential places across the team and formation . Again I'm really certain PL & co have had thorough discussions with ME , concluded strategy etc and will jointly do their best to set us on the right course , with the right people bringing the right strengths . COYB

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tractorboybig added 13:14 - May 18 folks we are only going to attract the dregs and he is div I able? Jackson and Harrison are a waste of space and sears will be our top scorer next year unless we sell him,
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Walk_the_Wark added 13:17 - May 18 Definite NO
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Walk_the_Wark added 13:18 - May 18 delia - Jackson and Harrison got good service. they can't finish
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Radlett_blue added 13:30 - May 18 Do we want to allocate a large chunk of our wage budget on a player who has played a grand total of 82 games (and scored 8 goals) in the last 8 years?
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positivity added 13:54 - May 18 for me, we need to find a partnership/s that work up front, never found one last season. i hope it's because lambert didn't have the personnel rather than it being his philosophy...
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BlueandTruesince82 added 13:55 - May 18 I'm not bothered if we dont get Keane injury prone so bit of a risk for me. Freddie should get goals in L1 if played as a striker and also think Harrison could be useful so if we add the lad from Tranmere those 3 plus one more should be fairly potent. Don't think Freddie will be played anywhere other than on the wing mind. Then Judge, Dozzell, Bishop and Downes plus Rowe who is still think deserves a shot ought to be pretty potent in L1. Add 1 winger to allow Freddie up front and throw the experience of Skuse into that and on paper it looks good. Feel like there are better options out there....

2

Sir_Monte_Carlo added 14:12 - May 18 We need fit players. Competition for places is essential. The injury prone won't help us win promotion.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:33 - May 18 Hard love, but I'm just not convinced Keane will stay fit. For me, it's "sorry, mate, and we wish you all the best for the future." Then I'd hope we could pull someone out of the bag that hasn't yet been the subject of speculation because there's no doubt we would need a new face, even if we do get Norwood in, which as yet is by no means certain.
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hollywoodginge added 15:34 - May 18 I see people talking about Sears, he won't be anywhere near the first team until Christmas at least, even then it's going to take time. Same as Morris and Ward (if retained). Just for the awareness of those who don't get the gravity of ACL surgery.
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happybeingblue added 16:07 - May 18 no more crocs thanks had enough of players not turning out in a town shirt these last few seasons we know who they are lets get shot of them and rebuild ,there are plenty of players out there who are not injury prone
1

DifferentGravy added 17:06 - May 18 It would be great to sign a forward who bangs in 30+ goals but this is incredibly hard to come by. Realistically we need two forwards who can tick three boxes - 1, Score goals on a consistent basis (15+ league goals a piece makes a huge difference 2, Play on a regular basis (not be injury prone) 3, Gel with the team We had Adeyami, Jackson, Harrison, Quaner, Walters...............

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Saxonblue74 added 17:28 - May 18 Jackson and Harrison have had opportunity to show what they can do, and that's not much apparently! For me Keane showed real class before his injury, hold up play a particular strength. I think he could be great with Norwood. Get what we can for Jackson as far as I'm concerned, which won't be anywhere near the 1.6m paid whilst that fool Hurst was busy destroying our squad!

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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:38 - May 18 Also Lankaster to come back of course
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Lightningboy added 20:10 - May 18 @Durhamtownfan Totally spot on. We need to stop taking risks on injury prone players.
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herfie added 21:01 - May 18 Given our reduced circumstances, taking a risk on a player with Keane's ability to consistently pick up limiting injuries is probably something best avoided. True he's undoubtedly talented - as is Emyr H. - but with a reduced squad, we can't afford to invest in assets whose ability to provide a viable return is potentially limited. True McG came good for Shef Utd, but I think to take a punt that we might have the same sort of luck, is risking scarce resources. Whilst impossible to predict when an injury will strike, we nevertheless should conduct In depth medical due diligence on any transfer target, specifically looking at historic injury records etc to determine what the risk vs reward balance is. Bottom line is, we can't afford to employ injury prone individuals in the hope that they'll eventually come good.

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EatonBlue added 21:41 - May 18 Sign him on a 12 month contract
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TractorRoyNo1 added 21:52 - May 18 We can't afford to carry any more walking wounded - move on. (yep, that's what I said about McGoldrick)
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domino721 added 22:12 - May 18 Harrison, Jackson, Keane and Norwood would fear any League One team. Hard to keep them all happy and in form but all fit and firing would be the best strikeforce by far in that league. Interesting to see if Jackson gets interest and if we take it, showed enough potential in a very poor team this year. A promising year ahead #COYB
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