I’ll be a bridge after troubled Walters

Former captain Jon Walters has fallen out with Keane. He has been told that the sooner he leaves the better and that he will never play for Ipswich again.

Walters is understood to be fuming about the way he has been treated and could well ignite a storm when he is free of his contract and able to express his views.

But in the meantime, Norris, who scored in Saturday’s npower Championship 1-1 home draw against Burnley, is backing his boss.

“Jon is a good player and a good friend of mine so I will leave it at that,” said Norris.

“I don’t want to comment on the relationship between the manager and Jon.”

But talking about Keane, Norris said: “He has very high standards and wants us all to be focused all the while.

“He asks for 100 per cent from us, and if you do this he is happy.

“I feel I can speak to him and that he is approachable and will take on board any points that I might raise.

“There is no reason why I can’t have a good relationship with him.

“He is the man who can lead the club hopefully to a better season.

“I have one year left on my contract and I still have some unfinished business as I came here to get this club promoted.”

Taking about the captaincy, Norris went on: “I’m very proud and honoured.

“I know it’s a cliche but this is a big club and it means a great deal.”

Norris now has three goals to his credit this season after bagging a brace in Tuesday’s Carling Cup win at League One Exeter.

“I once scored eight in a season, and hopefully I can beat that this time around,” he added.

“The formation we are playing now allows me more freedom to get into the opposing box – and in that case I should be scoring more often.

“I can’t remember back-heeling the ball in a game before – let alone to put it into the net.

“We might feel it was two points dropped with Burnley’s late equaliser, but overall it has been an encouraging start with four points against good opposition and progress to the next round of the Carling Cup.”