IPSWICH Town manager Roy Keane will give his players a 'shoot on sight' command before tonight's Championship game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane (kick-off 7.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Roy Keane will give his players a 'shoot on sight' command before tonight's Championship game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Blues will be seeking their first league win of the season after pocketing a meagre four points from the first 27 on offer.

It all adds up to Town's worst start to any season and Keane wants to see an improvement at both ends of the park.

“We must be prepared to shoot when we have a chance,” said Keane. “Ronaldo, one of the best players in the world, has about 15 shots every match.

“Many go high and wide, but he is prepared to take the risk and it often pays off.

“There is nothing wrong with having a pop, and my players will get no stick from me whatever the outcome. Doncaster tried their luck from distance, and scored twice to deny us our first win a couple of Saturdays ago.”

Keane says that he hopes he now has his best 11 players in mind and he confirmed that the nucleus of the team would remain tonight despite Saturday's 4-0 home thrashing by Newcastle.

“Players have come in and it is taking time and we keep chopping and changing to get the right blend,” added Keane.

“We came up short physically against Newcastle and it doesn't need me to emphasise the poor defending that led to their goals.”

Town will be without skipper Alex Bruce tonight and at Barnsley on Saturday after the central defender picked up a groin injury at the weekend.

Jon Walters is expected to wear the captain's armband.

Gareth McAuley trained on Sunday after his knee and calf problems and if he suffers no reaction to yesterday's session he will come into consideration for a return.

“We would like a bit more time with Gareth but beggars can't be choosers,” said Keane.

“We had two youngsters at the back for most of the Newcastle game and they will be considered along with Troy Brown.

“He has shown up well and is a special athlete with a future in the game, and there could be a couple of surprises in our Bramall Lane squad.”

Brown, who was signed on a free from Fulham in the summer, has just turned 19.

David Wright is also under consideration tonight with Keane saying he will have no problem about recalling the experienced player.

But there will be no return for Owen Garvan, although the Town boss confirmed that he hasn't written off the Republic of Ireland Under-21 captain.

“Owen will play in the reserves at home on Wednesday and if he does well he will have a chance for Saturday,” said Keane.

“He is not in my current plans but his attitude has been fine and he has been training hard and doing okay. He was made available for loan as I thought games would benefit him, but he hasn't been written off at this club.”

Jaime Peters could well get a start after impressing as a second-half substitute on Saturday when he made his 50th league appearance for the Blues (29 starts and 21 substitute with two goals).