by Carl MarstonTHERE will be no influx of new signings at Portman Road, when thetransfer window reopens in eight days time.Ipswich Town boss Roy Keane yesterday revealed that some of hiscurrent playing staff are more likely to leave, rather than new onesarrive, over the next few weeks.

Carl Marston

by Carl Marston

THERE will be no influx of new signings at Portman Road, when the

transfer window reopens in eight days time.

Ipswich Town boss Roy Keane yesterday revealed that some of his

current playing staff are more likely to leave, rather than new ones

arrive, over the next few weeks.

Keane is preparing to welcome back the injured duo of David Norris and

Alex Bruce to his squad, while new keeper Brian Murphy will be

available to play from next month, and striker Kevin Lisbie will

return from his successful loan stint at Colchester United.

This quartet should sufficiently strengthen the squad without Keane

needing to dabble in the transfer market.

"I'm no nearer any new signings," insisted Keane.

"But we already have lots of people at this football club. That's why

they've got to be real quality for anyone else to come in.

"It could be very quiet (in terms of new signings) at this club in

January," added Keane.

Activity in the transfer market might come in the form of a few

players leaving on loan, to get some first team football under their

belts.

The likes of midfielder Liam Trotter and defenders Tommy Smith and

Troy Brown are examples of players who have rarely figured in the

first team over the last few weeks.

Keane confirmed: "The only activity might be one or two going out on

loan to other clubs, because some of them need some games. They're

footballers, so they need to be playing.

"I need to be fair to other players. They might need to go out on

loan, like Pim (Balkestein) has. Players like Liam Trotter have been

unlucky."

Centre-half Balkestein has benefited from his loan move to League One

club Brentford, and has recently had his stay extended for another

month, until January 17.

Meanwhile, Keane looks set to try and extend Jack Colback's loan spell

from Sunderland until the end of the season. The midfielder's current

deal ends during the first week of January.

Keane is yet to discuss a possible extension to Stern John's loan

period from Crystal Palace, which expires after the home game against

QPR on December 28.

He has also not talked to keeper Arran Lee-Barrett about a possible

new deal. Lee-Barrett's current contract runs until January 21.