Keane keeping a cool head

SOCCER: ROY KEANE is not placing any extra emphasis on today’s English League Championship clash with Leicester at Portman Road…

SOCCER:ROY KEANE is not placing any extra emphasis on today's English League Championship clash with Leicester at Portman Road – because a win might not be enough to save his job.

Town have lost their last six league games on the bounce, including a 4-1 defeat by local rivals Norwich, and have slumped to 18th place in the table, just three points above the relegation zone.

Keane has not been helped by an injury crisis that has seen the likes of Connor Wickham and Gareth McAuley sidelined, and the club have also had to deny reports of a training ground altercation between the manager and defender Damien Delaney.

But the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder insists there is no extra pressure, even if another defeat could spell the end of his tenure.

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“If we’re not good enough on Saturday, then the owner might make a decision, but that’s up to the owner,” he said.

“I’ve just got to go out and do my best.

“But people shouldn’t be talking about my situation, questioning whether it could be my last game, or is it a must-win game?

“Managers have won matches and still lost their jobs, so it’s not a case of if we win on Saturday then things are rosy in the garden. The players need to do it for the club, not for my job.

“I have another life outside football, and my life won’t crumble if we lose on Saturday and if I lose my job on Sunday morning. I’ve got a great life.

“I hope the players are doing it for each other, for the club, the supporters, and I hope I’ll be at the bottom of that list.”

He added: “Something has to give, if you keep losing football matches. “But I have not thought about packing it in. Sometimes you just need to step back and recharge your batteries.”

Keane said Sven-Goran Eriksson has already made progress at Leicester. “Leicester have got a good squad. Sven’s not messed about, he’s got players in.”