IPSWICH Town manager Roy Keane is happy for want-away Blues star Jon Walters to leave Portman Road.

Keane has revealed that his skipper has told him that he wants to go - with Stoke City favourites to gain his signature.

“I know Jon wants to go because he told me - and he can go,” said Keane.

“And if it happens I won’t lose one minute’s sleep.

“I have absolutely no problem with him going as players get their heads turned and there is a chance of playing in the Premier League.

“Jon has a contract here but I live in the real world and I know players get tapped up.

“But there is no way in the world I could prove it.”

Walters has not been ruled out of Keane’s squad for tomorrow’s Championship game against Burnley at Portman Road where the Blues will be seeking their third win in eight days.

“Jon is still captain at the moment,” added Keane. “But things change quickly in football.

“He has gone about things the wrong way.

“Instead of waiting for an offer to come in he has been in and told me that he wants to leave.

“He has put the cart before the horse.

“Jon reported ill with a virus before Tuesday’s Carling Cup game at Exeter and we have to take his word on that.

“He told me he is aware of interest in him and that he wants to go.

“A number of clubs are showing an interest, but Stoke are the favourites.

“Three years ago, Jon was linked with a move and he got a new Ipswich contract soon afterwards.

“There won’t be a similar thing happening again and if we receive an offer that meets our valuation then Jon will go.”

Keane has never been slow in praising Walters since the Irishman took over the Town hot seat 14 months ago.

But he now sees the former Chester player as someone he can do without.

“We did okay at Exeter without Jon, and we will do alright on Saturday without Jon if he doesn’t play,” said Keane.

“If he does play I’m sure he’ll give 100 per cent as he always has done and he did very well at Middlesbrough.

“We needed Jon last season and it was always reassurring with him leading out the side.

“But sometimes you cannot keep tip-toeing around, and if Jon wants to go then he can. I have absolutely no problem with that.”

Without naming Walters directly Keane went on: “Players should read their contracts and take note of what they have signed.

“We had a player recently who did not want to take part in a media oblication because it would mean being photographed in an Ipswich shirt.”

Walters and his wife hail from the Wirral and a move back to the Stoke area would suit him having sold his house earlier this year and currently living in rented accomadation in Ipswich.