ROY Keane admits that he might have to wait until after pre-season starts to get on board the man that he hopes will help him lead the Blues to success next season.

The curtain came down on a miserable 2009/10 campaign with a stinging 3-0 home Championship defeat by Sheffield United at Portman Road yesterday.

Boos rung round the stadium at the final whistle, some for referee Andy D’Urso – an old adversary – for sending off debutant Tom Eastman but also directed at the manager for a fairly woeful display.

Keane sees his best chances of getting next season off to a good start and to building that into staging a promotion challenge to the Premier League is to bring in an experienced aide.

Former Reading and Watford manager Brendan Rodgers is close to Keane after they took coaching badges on the same course, and he has been reported to be on Keane’s wanted list.

But Keane said: “I’m not going to jump in and make a rash appointment.

“I have one or two people in mind and I hope to meet them this week.

“But don’t be surprised if pre-season starts on June 28 and I still haven’t got anybody in place.

“It’s got to be the right person – someone I can get on with.

“The chemistry has to be right to talk things over with – I already have some very good coaches at the club.

“I’ve spoken to the owner and he knows my plans.”

As of last night, Keane has started work on strengthening his squad for next term and he said: “It could happen straight away – players coming in.

“After our 2-2 draw at Newcastle I felt that perhaps there was no need to jump into any deals.

“But after yesterday’s display the action has to start to strengthen – and that means from now.

“It was one of those games yesterday with most things not going right.

“I made changes but we ended up with our shape not being great and down to 10 men with Sheffield United taking advantage of that.

“Players must take more responsibility as was shown with the giving away of a bad first goal. My hard work starts now.”