IPSWICH Town manager Roy Keane today revealed that his search for new blood extends to just four players.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Roy Keane today revealed that his search for new blood extends to just four players.

“It's about quality not quantity,” he said.

The Blues boss also made it clear that he will not be paying over the odds as he looks to assemble a staff strong enough to lead the Tractor Boys back to the Premier League.

Keane said when appointed in late April that he did not plan to make extensive changes to the squad he inherited from his predecessor Jim Magilton.

And having seen them beat Cardiff City and Coventry City at the end of last season, and indentified the positions he wants to strengthen, the former Manchester United star has narrowed his targets down to four.

“We are not going to bring in seven or eight players to the club,” confirmed Keane.

“We are looking at maybe four additions, and the owner and chief executive are working hard to try and achieve that but it takes time.

“Progress is being made, like lots of clubs, but these things take time and we need to be patient.

“It's an awkward time in that so many people in the game are away on holiday, or tied up on other matters.

“It's a case of quality rather than quantity - I'll be happy if I get the four players I want but it's a big if.”

And referring to the budget he has at his disposal, Keane added: “We are certainly not going to spend over what we consider to be the right valuation for the players.

“There is a danger that people might put a higher price tag on a player because they think we have money to spend.

“One or two people in football have said to me, 'you've got a few bob to spend' but that's not the case. We will have our valuations and work to them.

“I have been hugely impressed by what I have seen from the players here and if I can add the three or four players that I want, I'll be quietly confident we will be in the mix.”

Keane expects to announce next week whether Shane Supple and Liam Trotter have agreed to sign the new contracts that have been offered to them.

Supple is expected to sign, but Trotter may well be ruled by his head rather than his heart and plump for a reported three-year offer from Scunthorpe rather than a reported one-year offer from Ipswich.