NICKY Butt is not coming to Ipswich Town.

The experienced midfielder is leaving Newcastle United this summer, having helped to propel the Magpies into the Premier League, but Roy Keane admitted that the 35-year-old is unlikely to end up at Portman Road.

“I have never spoken about getting Nicky Butt here,” insisted Keane last night.

“He’s a good lad, but I made a point of telling him last week that he should carry on playing.

“He’ll have plenty of options to keep playing up in the Manchester area. There’s about 20 clubs around there and loads of Premiership clubs.

“The type of experience and character that Nicky has would be vital, but to say we’re going to sign Nicky Butt would be way off the mark, I have to say,” added Keane.

Keane and Butt were team-mates and fellow midfielders at Manchester United, and have remained good friends ever since,