IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane has no problem with changing his opinion of a player, as exemplified by the case of Owen Garvan.

Carl Marston

Page 3

by Carl Marston

IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane has no problem with changing his opinion of a player, as exemplified by the case of Owen Garvan.

After three months in the wilderness, stuck in Town Reserves despite also skippering Republic of Ireland Under-21s, Garvan is now back doing what he does best - unlocking opposing defences.

Garvan's return to the team has coincided with four points from two games, following a goalless home draw against Sheffield Wednesday and a 2-1 win at Cardiff City.

The Dubliner will be hoping to pull the strings in the centre of the park again today, alongside Grant Leadbitter at Bristol City.

Keane admitted: "I'm quite happy to change my mind about a player.

"And Owen Garvan has played his part in the last two results that we've had.

"There's never been any doubting his talent. I've always said that.

He's a talented boy, and his work-rate has been up."

Keane made a special mention of Garvan's creative performance at Cardiff, especially his delivery for Jon Walters to crash home the equaliser.

"His pass for the first goal showed his talent," enthused Keane.

"In fact there are not many players in the Championship who are capable of producing that quality.

"When you bring a player back into the team, you would hope that he has a spring in his step and reacts in the right way to being left out.

"Most of my players have been given a fair chance," added Keane.

Damien Delaney is another example of a player who is now back in favour, and catching the eye, after a spell in the Reserves.

Defender Delaney was left out of the squad for four games, following the dismal 4-0 home defeat by Newcastle United on September 26.

But the ex-Hull City and QPR stalwart has returned with a vengeance.

Rather than looking uncomfortable as a makeshift left-back, he has blossomed alongside Gareth McAuley in central defence Keane insisted: "He (Delaney) and Gareth McAuley have the potential to be as good a centre-half partnership as any in the Championship.

"Damien has done well, and it's all great credit to him. He's played a lot of games in his career and he has a lot of experience."