ROY Keane has released international scout Simon Hunt.

Derek Davis

ROY Keane has released international scout Simon Hunt.

Along with Bryan Klug, Hunt was at the Toulon Tournament in France over recently but returned yesterday to be told he was no longer required as he restructures his backroom staff.

It is understood no direct replacement is imminent but chief scout Steve McCall will expand his duties to cover searching abroad.

McCall and Hunt went to Argentina last year and returned with Luciano Civelli

Hunt worked with George Burley during his reign as Town boss and left shortly after the Scot was sacked.

The highly experienced scout was reemployed by Jim Magilton last summer and it could be the duo link up at QPR or Hunt could rejoin Tony Mowbray who is expected to be named Celtic boss within the next few days.

Hunt worked with Mowbray at Town and also at West Brom before coming back to Ipswich.

He also worked with Scotland manager Burley at Derby, Hearts and Southampton.

Blues chief executive Simon Clegg said: “On behalf of the Club, I would like to thank Simon for his efforts and wish him every success for his future career.”

Town's search for players continue with Keane linked with a number of former players from Manchester United and Sunderland while it is possible he also makes use of his coach Tony Loughlan's knowledge of players from Leicester City.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk