IPSWICH Town manager Roy Keane today launched a blistering attack on agents, accusing them of wanting to get their players transferred.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Roy Keane today launched a blistering attack on agents, accusing them of wanting to get their players transferred.

Last month Keane said that one or two of his squad would not play for him again. He has since retracted that, and insisted today that he has not ruled out any player on the Blues books from having a part to play this season.

This week, Gareth McAuley said that his agent had been informed by Ipswich, who visit Doncaster Rovers in the Championship today (kick-off 3pm) that if a good offer came along to listen seriously to it.

Keane said that recent press speculation about members of his squad moving on was rubbish and that McAuley was still very much in his thoughts.

“Gareth was sent off against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday after a slip, but overall I thought he played well,” stressed Keane, who over the last few weeks had been at pains to reveal that he needs to wheel and deal to strengthen his squad.

“Every manager wheels and deals. Do you think Manchester United wanted to sell Ronaldo in the summer? Of course they didn't.

“But some players speak too much to their agents anyway. I spoke to Gareth (McAuley) last week and he's fine - it's the agents.

“I spoke to an agent about one of my players on Thursday.

“How do you think these agents make their money? They don't like their players staying at clubs too long.

“They want them to move on.

“There's nothing wrong with doing well at your own club. Good players do that. I spent 12 years with one club.”

Keane's answer to lifting his team up the Championship table from their current second from bottom position is to 'Score more and concede less.”

“Football can be a cruel game sometimes, and we have deserved more,” added Keane. “I am not here to con anybody and be disrespectful to our fans, and it is up to the players to get things right.”

Keane has an open mind about bringing in a sports psychologist to try and right the current ills. He explained his thoughts on the matter:

“There can be room for a sports psychologist in the dressing room, but I have an open mind.

“Some players run a mile when confronted with one; others are happy. We had one at Manchester United who was always on call for a chat and a cup of tea and it worked for some.”