Keane admits that he’s had a bumpy ride this week

The Blues manager was the subject of some high speed aggression when he took his players to a Go Kart centre.

Keane’s players survived intact to be available for today’s Championship fixture against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane (kick-off 3pm) although a few egos took a bit of a bashing.

“I finished second,” bemoaned the highly competitive Keane.

“But I started from the eighth grid.

“I think one or two were trying to knock me off the track – particularly Connor Wickham!”

While second team manager Chris Kiwomya suffered a bad neck after one particularly heavy smash, the bonding event was won by Jack Colback.

Keane was only joking about Wickham, and he refused to take seriously the claim made in a national newspaper last Sunday that there had been a bust-up between youngster and manager.

“Yeah, I had a bust up with Connor last Monday, Grant Leadbitter on Tuesday, Marton Fulop on Tuesday and had arrow with my wife the following morning,” quipped Keane.

“If it concerned me what people were reading I would be in trouble.

“As I have said before I don’t have bust ups with players. The Connor thing is nonsense.”

And reflecting on Colback’s performances since his return to the club on loan, Keane said: “Jack is right up my street.

“He’s hungry and talented with a desire to run into space, and I’ve a lot of time for him.

“We’ll have to watch Andy Reid today as he’s a good player too, but he was never a possibility for us to loan from Sunderland.

“What Andy has in experience, Jack has in energy.”

Ipswich will be seeking their sixth away win of the season having won their opening two league games on their travels but enjoying Carling Cup success at Exeter, Crewe and Millwall.

Ipswich Town chief executive Simon Clegg said that concerns about the Portman Road pitch have led to second team games being played elsewhere.

He said: “Our pitch is getting old and it is becoming increasingly difficult for head groundsman Alan Ferguson to keep it in pristine condition.

“Alan is doing a great job, but he would like in an ideal world to replace it – something that the Premier League would bring.”

Clegg confirmed that there will be no alteration to turnstile admission prices to the Sir Bobby Robson Stand lower where concessions do not apply.

“Our costs are going up and the only way to raise income is through match day income,” said Clegg. “Plus I want to reward our loyal fans who are season ticket holders having kept their prices down for four seasons.”