IPSWICH TOWN: Blues chief executive Simon Clegg today admitted that manager Roy Keane is under pressure from above.

Club owner Marcus Evans is expecting more than he is currently getting with Ipswich in mid-table and having gone backwards in the Championship table in the 18 months since the multi-millionaire took control of the Portman Road-based club.

“We are all under pressure from the owner,” revealed Clegg. “The whole club is.

“Marcus is an ambitious man who has invested a lot of money, and he expects to see results.

“And at the moment we are not delivering.

“There is a timescale to everything and as far as the manager is concerned it is acute with his contract ending in 14 months time.

“We are working for an owner who is an extremely successful businessman and one that is not used to failure.”

Keane still has the backing of the vast majority of supporters and they will be relieved with confirmation that there is no suggestion of any parting of the ways at this moment in time.

“Roy will here next season,” continued Clegg.

“He is committed to the club and the club is committed to him.

“We are planning for the summer and into next season. On players that could be coming in and those we feel ought to move on.

“I’m very excited about we can achieve together and have greatly enjoyed developing a relationship with Roy and extending my relationship with Marcus having worked with him over Olympic Games matters prior to my coming to Ipswich.

“I have gained a few more grey hairs in my first year here and both Roy and myself have learned a great deal in the last 12 months.

“Marcus’ aims have not differed and he will continue to invest to take this great club back to the Premier League.

“But no budget for next season has been agreed yet and he does not have a bottomless pit of money.”