Keane Outlines Summer Transfer Plans

Last updated : 17 April 2010 By Site Editor
Keane has admitted that he believes the dynamics of the club are currently not at their best, stating one of the key reasons for this is that there are too many experienced players contracted until at least 2011 who are currently eating up the clubs wage budget whilst contributing little on the ptich.

Speaking to the EADT, Keane said: "We've got a big summer coming up. It's going to be a long, tough summer, to try and get the club in a better shape for a better season next year.

"There are some hard decisions ahead. Some of the easy ones might be when a player's contract is up, and he might not have played that much and his form not have been great.

"But we have decisions to be made on some players who are still under contract. There's a few players at the club who have been here for three or four years, decent servants, but we have to change the dynamics of the football club.

"We have too many experienced players on too big a wages. I'm trying to change that. It's clear that I don't see them in my plans, but some players will just sit tight, so it's trying to find the right club for them as well,

Amongst those who may fit the leaving criteria specified is popular Spanish striker Pablo Counago, who has been frozen out of the first team 18 in recent weeks having turned down a move to Swansea in the summer to fight for his place at Portman Road.

The future may also be uncertain for Irish midfielder Owen Garvan, who has like Counago, been unable to hold anything near a regular first team place this campaign and also found himself frozen out in recent weeks whilst Alan Quinn has represented Town just once since Boxing Day.

Meanwhile Richard Wright who after his return from injury has been unable to gain a place on the bench ahead of second choice keeper Arran Lee-Barrett and David Wright who has found it difficult to hold down a first team place this term may not have their contracts renewed upon expiring in June.

On the prospect of additions to the club, Keane added: "I think we might have to be patient and wait until pre-season to try and get the players that we are after.

"But there are one or two players that I'm interested in whose contracts are up, so if we can put those deals to bed early doors, then that would be great. But I'm sure these players will have options.

"We are probably looking at four or five players we'd like to bring in, and one of them will be someone who is going to put the ball in the back of the net. But there's not many of those out there that would be prepared to drop into the Championship."