A dire run of eight losses in 12 games, the most recent a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of fierce rivals Norwich on Sunday, has seen Keane's position come under scrutiny.
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Keane is aware that his first cup quarter-final as a manager could be one of his most important fixtures to date and would ideally like to field a full-strength side against Roberto Di Matteo's Barclays Premier League side.
But injuries, suspension and the loss of four loan signings mean that the former Manchester United captain will have to hope that his young guns can pull off a desperately needed win at Portman Road.
He said: "I'll be going with a young team, once again. I haven't been too pleased about that, over the last month or two, because we have been playing too many young players at the same time.
"But I don't really have any choice for tomorrow night."
Keane is without defender Damien Delaney, who was sent off at Carrow Road on Sunday, while right-back Gianni Zuiverloon is on loan from Albion and barred from facing his parent club.
Goalkeeper Marton Fulop is a doubt with an ankle injury, Connor Wickham has a thigh problem and loanees Rory Fallon, Jack Colback and Jake Livermore are all unavailable.
One player who could feature is Argentinian winger Luca Civelli, who has been out of action since injuring his knee against Burnley in March 2009.
Civelli was an unused substitute at the weekend but Keane could be tempted to throw him in against the Baggies.
He said: "It's good to have Luca back in the group. We felt he needed something different from the reserves so he has been involved and he has a chance for tomorrow night.
"Ideally we would like to bring him in and then take him out again, ease him back in gently because of the injury. Give him a cameo role or two. But we can't do that.
"Is he ready to start against West Brom? That's a big question mark but we are without a lot of players so he has a chance of featuring."
Meanwhile, West Brom midfielder Somen Tchoyi is hoping an impressive performance against Ipswich can bolster his chances of becoming a Premier League regular.
The Cameroon international showed his quality with a stunning goal as a substitute in Albion's 4-1 win at Everton on Saturday.
It was his third goal in five appearances, including one on his full Premier League debut in the shock 2-2 draw away to Manchester United.
Tchoyi has been largely confined to a bit-part role, but has started the Baggies last two Carling Cup ties and netted in the 4-1 success at Leicester in the previous round.
Now he is hoping he can impress at Portman Road, if selected, and put himself in the frame to start Sunday's home league encounter with Newcastle.
Tchoyi said: "I want to play. I came to England to play in the big league. I am working hard for the team and to try and get more time on the pitch.
"Every time I play I try my best to show what I can do. Tomorrow's game - if I am chosen - is a big chance for me to show I'm worthy of a starting place against Newcastle on Sunday.
"I was really pleased with my performance against Everton when I came on, and goals give you confidence."
Tchoyi admits he had little knowledge of the Carling Cup before joining West Brom, but is keen to play at Wembley.
He said: "I was not that aware of the Carling Cup. It is my first season in England. But I just know it would be massive to play at Wembley and we are a couple of steps away.
"We're taking the competition step by step and every win in it gives us joy. We will try our best to win again and we will be treating it just like a Premier League game. We will be taking the game seriously."
Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu will be suspended for the clash as he starts a two-game ban after being sent off for two bookable offences during the win at Goodison Park, his second red card of the season.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG