Keane still bullish about play-off hopes

ROY KEANE remains bullish about his Ipswich side’s chances of making the Championship play-offs despite admitting disappointment at yet another draw.

His side took the lead after just 18 seconds against hosts Leicester when Jack Colback crossed and Ryan McGivern, under pressure from David Norris, turned the ball into his own net.

But for the 13th time this season, Ipswich were forced to settle for a single point rather than a full compliment when Steve Howard levelled for the Foxes eight minutes before the half-time whistle. Lloyd Dyer was the creator, cutting in from the right before teeing up the veteran striker to poke the ball beyond Arran Lee-Barrett.

Keane, whose side now lie 20th, said afterwards: “It was probably a fair result. We did have some good chances but our keeper pulled off the best save of the game. It was not a classic but to draw with an element of disappointment is a mark of our progress because Leicester are having a good season.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t build on our great start to the game but I know we can do a lot better.”

Keane admitted his side needs to score more goals if they are to catapult themselves up the table. He said: “What we lack at the moment is that we don’t score enough goals and that’s an area that needs improving. Draws won’t get you too far up the table but I still think we are capable of having a good season, and that would include getting into the play-offs.”

Keane revealed new goalkeeper Brian Murphy could be sidelined for several weeks after he was injured in the pre-match warm up. Murphy signed for Ipswich in midweek after three years with eircom Premier League champions Bohemians.

Keane said: “Murphy damaged ankle ligaments in the warm-up. He looked like he was in a lot of pain in the dressing room. He could be out for a number of weeks.”

LEICESTER: Weale, McGivern, Morrison, Brown, Neilson, Dyer (Waghorn 71), King, Wellens (Gallagher 70), Oakley, Howard (Kermorgant 83), Fryatt.

IPSWICH: Lee-Barrett, Balkenstein, Delaney, McAuley, Bruce (Rosenior 57), Colback (John 83), Norris, Leadbitter, Peters, Wickham (Garvan 73), Walters.

Referee: Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire).