Keane: We’ll know where we’re heading in the next few days

ROY KEANE says the outcome of conversations with Ipswich Town owner Marcus Evans and chief executive Simon Clegg over the next few days will point to where the Championship club is heading.

The former Ireland skipper is looking to add to his squad during the January transfer window, ideally with some of them signing permanent deals.

Ipswich’s Christmas period has failed to go to plan with both their matches postponed and with Irish duo Brian Murphy — who underwent ankle surgery last night — and Shane O’Connor injured and on-loan full-back Gianni Zuiverloon recalled by West Brom.

Keane says these developments, plus the possibility that more loan players could return to their clubs, have forced him to amend his original January wish-list.

“The plans was maybe for one or two players, we’re now probably after three or four players. Some of those would have to be permanent deals, whether we can do that — whether we get the money — we’ll know in the next few days.

“We’ll find out a lot about the club in the next few days — where we’re heading, whether we’re going to invest in these players or keep looking to duck and dive and getting loan players in which short-term can help you out, but we can’t be dependent on players who aren’t contracted to Ipswich,” he said. The Tractor Boys boss says the upcoming meetings and conference calls will shape the club’s immediate future.

“There are talks going on and telephone calls are due to take place with the owner and the chief executive, so we’ll have an idea. They’ll obviously digest things and we’re due more conversations today.”

Keane says everyone is on the same side but knows who will pay the price if Ipswich, currently 18th, continue to struggle.

“We’ve got realistic targets, we’ve not got a list of Rooneys or Ronaldos or even Bellamys. We appreciate where we’re at.

“I’ve got to fight my corner because ultimately if things don’t go right the manager pays the price and people stay in their offices.”

The 39-year-old says the club is already weighing up offers — including a potential loan move for a senior player — and concedes that some of his squad may have to go to allow other players to come in. He also admits his own contract situation could play a role.

“We still might have to let one or two go out, perhaps on loan to release some wages. That’s the position I’m in.

“It’s an important few weeks for the club coming up. We’ve got to make a statement of where we’re hoping to go to, where we’re staying or where might be heading to.

“Will the club invest in players when the manager’s contract expires in about four or five weeks’ time? Who knows? There are lots of question marks that we need to look at over the next few days.”

Keane has revealed that his former Manchester United team-mate Roy Carroll, currently with Danish side Odense, is training with Ipswich but insists that that’s as far as things go: “Roy lives in London and they’re on a mid-winter break, so he’s training with us before you all start thinking we’re signing him or he’s one of the targets.”