BRIAN Kidd will NOT be joining Ipswich Town.

Derek Davis

BRIAN Kidd will NOT be joining Ipswich Town.

That is according to Portsmouth manager Paul Hart who understands why his assistant at Fratton Park has been linked to a reunion with Roy Keane.

Kidd is leaving Pompey at the end of the season as he has had enough of the travelling and being away from his home in the north- west.

There is no indication that he would be any happier travelling to East Anglia or relocating from the Manchester area.

Hart said: “Brian hasn't told me anything about that. He would tell me I think. I'm not surprised about the rumour. He's a great coach and sought after."

Keane has not yet said he has asked Kidd to be his number two and rumours starting circulating last weekend in the national press that he would be appointed after leaving Portsmoutrh.

Tony Loughlan, a long time friend and former team mate of Keane at Nottingham Forest, has been made his assistant and it could be at some stage that another senior member of the coaching staff is appointed.

Kidd was linked to Sunderland when Keane was manager there but joined Sheffield United instead.

The 56-year-old went to Portsmouth to work with Hart when Tony Adams was relieved of his duties earlier this year.