IPSWICH Town boss, Roy Keane, does not want this season to just fade away.

Carl Marston

By Carl Marston

IPSWICH Town boss, Roy Keane, does not want this season to just fade away.

And yet at the same time, the Irishman insists that his team still have to be on their guard, to avoid being dragged back into a relegation scrap.

Most Town supporters are now looking onwards and upwards, after a fine recent run of just one defeat in the last 14 league fixtures.

But despite this promotion-like form, Town remain in the bottom six, and with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Reading showing signs of recovery.

Peterborough and Plymouth appear good bets for relegation, but that would still leave one vacancy in the bottom three.

"We hope to keep our season alive," insisted Keane.

"But at the same time, we need to get away from the bottom, because we are too close for comfort on that side of it."

The next four games should be a good gauge of what Town have in store for the rest of the season.

Following tonight's home game, against promotion-seeking West Brom, Town have trips to Preston and QPR, sandwiching a Portman Road fixture against out-of-form Middlesbrough.

"I don't want this season to fade away," continued Keane.

"The next three or four games are very tough for us. It's a big test for us, coming up.

"It's got to be full steam ahead, and see where that takes us. I'm still confident that we can have a good season.

"But Saturday (FA Cup exit at Southampton) was a good reminder to us all. All that talk of turning the corner, and talking about players'

new contracts, is rubbish.

"I have not even thought about next season yet. We're only in January," added Keane.

To that end, Keane revealed that he has not yet had a conversation with Liam Rosenior, about a possible new deal. The 25-year-old full-back is on loan from Reading for the season.

"I've had no talks with Liam Rosenior. I'm letting him focus on his own game," confirmed Keane.

The Town boss did reveal that there was still a possibility of one or two new players arriving, before the close of the transfer window at the end of this month.

Celtic left-back Lee Naylor has been linked with the club over the last week, as has Hull City's experienced left-back, Kevin Kilbane.

"I'm still waiting for feedback from managers about one or two players. I don't expect major action this week, but I'm still speaking to managers," said Keane.

"I spoke to an assistant manager only yesterday. If things are going to happen, it might be at the end of the week, at the death.

"One or two players might make a big difference for us. We will try and get deals finalised."

Keane also added that another of his players might be going out on loan, so following in the footsteps of Liam Trotter (at Millwall), Tommy Smith (at Brentford) and Colin Healy (at Celtic).

"I've had a few enquiries about my players. There maybe one going out on loan this week," concluded Keane.