IPSWICH TOWN: Blues boss Roy Keane is hoping he can bring in at least two more loan players to bolster his squad.

And Keane knows the importance of utilising this method of strengthening his squad revealing: “With our loan signings last season there was a chance we would have been relegated.

“And it might be the case again.”

Keane and chief executive Simon Clegg have both confirmed that they expect no activity before the transfer window closes next Tuesday tea time.

But when the loan market re-surfaces seven days later, and with Premier League clubs having formulated their 25-strong squads for the season, Keane is hoping to benefit with the capture of a couple of quality performers.

“I believe we would have been relegated without the loan players coming in, the likes of Daryl Murphy, Jack Colback, David Healy and Asmir Begovic,” said Keane.

“They were important players for us.

“And it looks like it might be the case for us again this year.

“We’re okay for numbers; it’s just the lack of strength in certain areas.

“We’ve got to look to bring players in who can help us go to another level.

“Otherwise we’ll go with what we’ve got and although they’re all doing well we need luck on the injury front to take us to where we want to be.

“We’ll look at the loan system in the next few weeks, particularly after the international break.

“Over the course of the season you need strength in depth. We didn’t have it last year and we were very dependent on our loan players.”

Keane has already brought in Andros Townsend on a season-long loan from Tottenham and Darren O’Dea on a loan to January from Celtic, and both have already made an impact in the first team.

“Fingers crossed there will be others,” added Keane.

The Blues manager is not getting carried away despite starting the season with a record-breaking four straight away wins.

“We set a lot of records last season,” he said referring to the worst start in the club’s history with 15 games played before a victory.

“I’m not getting bogged down with records.”

Town have a two-week break after today’s game before they travel to Portsmouth on September 11 with those not on international duty being given some time off to recuperate after a tough – if successful – start to the season.

Former Ipswich youngsters Scott Barron has signed a new three-year contract at fellow Championship club Millwall, while striker Ross McCormack, who Town showed considerable interest in earlier this month, has joined fellow Championship club Leeds United.