IPSWICH TOWN: Mark Kennedy is just the player to bring the best out of Blues youngsters Tommy Smith and Shane O’Connor.

So says Town manager Roy Keane, who is delighted to have the 34-year-old �75,000 signing from Cardiff City onboard.

Kennedy was due to make his Ipswich Portman Road debut this afternoon when Keane’s side took on Premier League West Ham with a 3pm kick-off.

“Mark will help a player like Tommy Smith who has an important role to play and is learning his trade,” said Keane.

“Having Mark beside him can only be a plus for Tommy, who did well in his first game since returning from the World Cup finals in South Africa at Bury Town on Wednesday.

“Mark’s experience will help our younger players and I’m pleased with his signing and would like one or two more.

“Every manager on the planet is looking for a player with character and experience and there are not many out there.

“And we have to be realistic in what we can get.

“We lacked experience in certain positions last season, and Mark has this as well as quality on the ball.”

Left back was a troublesome position for Ipswich last season, and Keane is relieved to have onboard a natural for that position.

He went on: “Players did a good job for me last season – Shane O’Connor and David Wright.

“But you cannot expect young Shane to play 40-odd games a season yet while David is right-footed.”

Marton Fulop could be joining Kennedy on Town’s books after some midweek argy-bargy between Town and Sunderland with a transfer fee growing to the region of around �900,000.

The keeper is back talking terms again with Keane appearing hell-bent on getting his man, but having to overcome some financial hurdles to do so.