Keane planning to bolster Tractor Boys

ROY KEANE says he is looking to add two more new signings to his Ipswich squad this week.

Keane’s Tractor Boys got their Championship season off to a fine start on Saturday, beating pre-season favourites Middlesbrough 3-1 at the Riverside.

The former Ireland skipper says the new men could be at the club by the middle of the week.

“I’d hope to have two new faces at the club by Tuesday or Wednesday because we need them.

“The two or three targets I’m after are attack-minded players, who can hopefully do a little bit of defending. We need them, you saw the bench at Middlesbrough.’’

Keane’s substitutes on Saturday included Ipswich academy products Jack Ainsley and Reggie Lambe, handed league debuts in the second half, as well as Irish midfielder Conor Hourihane, who is yet to make his senior bow, all only 19 years of age.

Luke Hyam, an 18-year-old midfielder who also came through the club’s youth ranks, was in the starting line-up.

The Ipswich boss has played down links with Wigan Athletic striker Jason Scotland, although the Trinidad and Tobago international is understood to be one of those on the verge of a move to Portman Road.

Cardiff’s Michael Chopra has been linked with Town throughout the summer, but the clubs have so far been unable to agree a fee for the front man, who played under Keane at Sunderland.

In addition to the general lack of numbers and international calls ahead of Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie at Exeter City, former Ireland international Mark Kennedy picked up a hamstring injury on his Ipswich debut, Carlos Edwards suffered a groin problem and Grant Leadbitter and Gareth McAuley complained of back injuries after the game.

Keane says that as a result, his squad is woefully short ahead of the trip to the League One side.

He said: “My little boy might get a game on Tuesday. We’re 24 hours into the season and we’re struggling for numbers, which is shocking really. It’s not good enough for a club like Ipswich and we have to sort it out this week.”

Despite the injuries, Keane was delighted with his side’s start to the season, Town having failed to win in their first 14 attempts a year ago: “I thought we deserved to win the game, we got stronger as it went on.”