IPSWICH midfielder Alan Quinn today committed himself to the Blues.

Elvin King

IPSWICH midfielder Alan Quinn today committed himself to the Blues.

“I hope I'm here for the long-term,” said the 30-year-old Dublin-born player who was linked last month with a comment from Roy Keane that one or two players were unlikely to play for the Town manager again.

This proved to be unfounded, and Quinn, who made his first Championship start of the season against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, says he has no grudge with his manager.

“I know the boss would not go behind my back,” said Quinn. “I was in the starting line-up at Peterborough the day that story came out and it didn't add up.

“The manager saw me and said that he did not name names to the press and he would tell me face to face if he had a problem with me.

“And I know he would, having seen him do it to others.

“I want to play for this club, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I did enough against Forest to keep my place in the side for the league game at Doncaster on Saturday.”

Quinn says that there have been no surprises about Keane's management since the Irish footballing legend took over the Portman Road hot seat last April.

Results - just three points from the opening seven games - have not matched the pre-season optimism, but like the rest of the squad Quinn is putting on a united positive front.

“He is a good manager, there is no doubt about that,” added Quinn. “He will turn things around. He is relaxed and the situation has not got to him.

“The manager is a winner, and he will get it right and fans should stick with him.

“There has been an improvement, and a great deal of work is being put in on the training ground.

“He has brought in new coaches, and they have added different ideas and fitted in well.”

Quinn knows the importance of Saturday's match at Doncaster, but insisted defeat won't be viewed as a disaster.

“Things will not change if we fail to get three points,” said Quinn. “The confidence will still be there that it will come right. I guarantee that this season will end up all right, and we are capable of a win at Doncaster.

“We enjoyed a good start against Forest and it is coming together, and another goal would have seen us win well, I am sure.

“The manager's new signings are all good players and watching Grant Leadbitter from the dug-out at Middlesbrough last Saturday proved to me what a talent he is. Our dressing room is fine and we are all feeling OK.”

Carlos Edwards (hamstring) and Liam Rosenior (eye injury) are doubts for the trip to Doncaster while central defender Gareth McAuley will be serving a one-match ban after his red card on Tuesday.