DAN Harding is today expected to become the ninth player released by new Ipswich Town boss Roy Keane.

Derek Davis

DAN Harding is today expected to become the ninth player released by new Ipswich Town boss Roy Keane.

Matt Richards joined the list yesterday when Keane told him that he will not be offered a new deal at Portman Road.

Harding, who was in the Reading side that this week went out of the play-off semi-finals in a 3-0 aggregate loss to Burnley which precipitated Steve Coppell resigning.

The defender will meet Keane to find out his future and while Town are down to one left back in Ben Thatcher who is struggling to make pre-season through injury, insiders at Portman Road believe Harding will be released.

Southend United are understood to still be keen on the former Leeds United and Brighton full back.

Fellow left back Richards was on holiday last week when the manager met with the majority of the squad but returned to meet with the boss today when he was told he will be released.

After expecting to be let go by Town the 24-year-old was offered the glimmer of hope for a new deal when he played in the 3-0 win at Cardiff City after a two-year absence from the first team.

But the academy graduate who made his debut in the UEFA Cup at Avenir Beggen in Luxembourg is now searching for another club with Brighton, where he was on loan, a possibility.

The Richards netted nine goals in 168 outings for the Blues and won an England Under-21 cap, ironically he was replaced at half -time in the international at Middlesbrough by Harding.

Liam Trotter, the only other player to still find out about his Blues future, figures for play-off final chasing Scunthorpe United tonight when they take on MK Dons.

Midfielder Trotter will learn his fate early part of next week.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk