GRANT Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards have the pedigree to turn Ipswich Town's fortunes around after their disappointing start to the season.

Elvin King

GRANT Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards have the pedigree to turn Ipswich Town's fortunes around after their disappointing start to the season.

Manager Roy Keane has gone back to his former club to provide the impetus, along with loan signing Liam Rosenior from Reading, to help lift the Blues up from second from bottom to promotion contenders in the Championship.

Black Cats' current manager Steve Bruce today spoke highly of both players he sold to Town just before the closure of the summer transfer window on Monday for a near-�4million joint fee.

Leadbitter appeared in 44 of the 46 Championship games in 2006/07 when Sunderland won promotion to the Premier League under Keane. He scored seven goals and was an instrumental figure in the promotion run. Edwards proved the catalyst to winning the title after arriving in January that campaign from Luton Town.

He notched a magnificent goal that confirmed the title and Sunderland's performances improved after his arrival.

“Grant is a top-class player who is highly rated,” said Bruce. “We brought in two players in his position, Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana, and it was understandable that he was unhappy that his first-team chances were limited.

“It was not proper that we stood in his way, and we wish him well. Carlos was in the last year of his contract with us and his chances were limited. It is important that senior players play regularly, and this move will be good for Sunderland, the player and Ipswich Town.”

Insiders at the Stadium of Light say that Keane's call to Leadbitter will be to impose himself more on games.

A local lad Leadbitter is expected to benefit from moving away from the goldfish bowl that surrounds the Stadium of Light.

A grafter, whose hero is Manchester United's Paul Scholes, Leadbitter is happy doing the dirty work needed by all successful teams.

Like Edwards, who was injured and had his Premier League appearances severely restricted, Leadbitter is considered a winner at Championship level.

Town's home game against Sheffield Wednesday on November 21 has been moved back to a 5.20pm kick-off and will now be shown live on Sky TV.