ROY Keane, the Ipswich Town manager, expects key midfielder David Norris to be back in action before the end of the year.

Elvin King

ROY Keane, the Ipswich Town manager, expects key midfielder David Norris to be back in action before the end of the year.

Initial estimates put the 28-year-old's recovery from a serious knee injury to take until 2010, but Keane says that the player is healing well.

“Knowing David I took a month off the original diagnosis of three or four months,” said Keane.

“You find out about players when they are injured and David is showing a great attitude.

“When he comes back - hopefully along with Luca Civelli - it will be like having two new players in my squad.”

Argentinean left-sided midfielder Civelli is also making good progress from a knee injury sustained last spring and he hopes to be also playing again before 2009 is out.

“Luca is now running, and this injury is a big test for the lad being so far from home. He has had a lot to deal with but he is coping very well.”

And reflecting on having new players, Keane is confident that his three recent signings - Grant Leadbitter, Carlos Edwards and Liam Rosenior - will settle quickly at Portman Road.

“Sometimes it can take players some time to reach their best after a move, but in the case of these three I am looking at three to four weeks before they are firing on all cylinders.”

With three draws and four defeats in their opening seven Championship matches, Keane has made no secret of the need to improve at both ends of the field.

But he also feels his side has not always had the run of the ball.

“Saturday's opening goal by Middlesbrough was two or three yards offside,” he said. “And there have been a number of other instances where we have been on the wrong end of decisions.

“A win, any win, can have a huge effect on players and see confidence grow.”