Boss Roy Keane says he will be surprised if four-goal striker Jason Scotland hasn’t scored 15 or 20 times by the end of the season. Scotland has netted a goal every other game in the league for the Blues since moving to Portman Road from Wigan Athletic for £750,000 in August.

Keane is delighted with 31-year-old’s goal tally up to now: “If he keeps that up we’ll be happy, that’s what we’ve brought Jason to the club for.

“I think he could have done with better service and support on Saturday. We’re pleased with Jason and I still think he has a lot further to go on his fitness, which will only come from games.”

The Blues boss says Scotland can come close to repeating the 21 league goals he scored with Swansea in his only other year in the Championship: “I’d be surprised if he doesn’t score 15 or 20 goals this season.

"Sometimes you don’t like putting pressure on players but I think Jason enjoys that. I think if you asked him, he’d be saying ‘yes, that’s what I expect to get’.

“But we have to give him decent service. Some of the service we gave him on Saturday could have been a bit better. Certain players are still learning Jason’s strengths and weaknesses, what kind of balls he likes. He does like balls into feet.

“His goal on Saturday was far from an easy chance and he’s taken it well," Keane added. "But we need other players contributing, whether it’s Tamás, Connor, another striker coming into the club, the widemen, our midfielders or our defenders. Our set pieces were poor on Saturday. We need to do better.”

The Blues boss says the lack of strikes from elsewhere is why he’s now looking at adding a loan striker to his squad: “Jason’s a goal threat but he’s the only goal threat we have at the moment, which is why we’re constantly looking at other players. We’ve got the option of the loan market, one more player, maybe two, we’re always looking at that. Jason needs a hand, we can’t be dependent on one player.

“We need lads contributing in terms of scoring goals. We’re behind the Cardiffs and the QPRs but then again none of our lads are on £20,000, £25,000, £40,000 or £60,000 a week, that’s what we’re up against.”

Keane says not too much pressure will be put on Connor Wickham, who is still getting back to his best after his ankle injury: “We’re going easy with Connor. Don’t think Connor Wickham’s going to be starting games in the weeks and months ahead, which is why we’re looking at other options and may be bringing in another striker. We don’t want to make too many demands on him.

“Connor’s 17 years of age and we do have to be careful with him, particularly with him having been away with England for seven or eight days last week. I have to look after all these boys, same with Luke Hyam.”

Photo: Action Images

itfc4eva added 14:15 - Oct 19 bet connor and jason scores 20+
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Wallingford_Boy added 14:20 - Oct 19 Unlikely that Connor will with Keano saying he won't be starting much in the coming months!!
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itfc4eva added 14:23 - Oct 19 dont worry, keano will realise that connor has promise, eventually
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Back_The_Boss added 14:26 - Oct 19 He will score 15-20 goals if he has a better partner upfront.
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itfc4eva added 14:27 - Oct 19 good point king keano
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Yeasayer added 14:32 - Oct 19 So far he has started 8 games and scored 4 goals without being totally match fit... which if he plays 35 games this season then thats around 17/18 goals... I know it doesn't work like that but you expect him to get a couple of braces etc along the way...
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E3Blue added 14:35 - Oct 19 If the loan striker was Jason Roberts then we would be laughing. With Townsend & Edwards on the wings, Jason Roberts up front alongside anyone from Wickham, Priskin or Scotland, I think we would be guaranteed a play-off spot. He is big, quick & strong and can finish. Definitely too good for this league but can't get into Blackburn. Keano, sign him up!!
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Smithy added 14:46 - Oct 19 Connor away 8 days last week, INCREDIBLE!
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bleedblue added 15:00 - Oct 19 With a strike partner; 20+ goals is in sight for sure. Glad Keane is looking after Wickham, but he is a big player for us, and be great for him to be fully fit for the second half of the season as we go for PROMOTION!!
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comeonthegoodtimes added 15:14 - Oct 19 * Sell Conner for 8m+ * Buy a proven striker but out of favour at his Premier league club for around 5m (Robbie Kean, Jason Roberts or even both) * That equals two prolific goal scorers (Simples)
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Cr0wman added 15:37 - Oct 19 Why do we need another stiker if we are only gonna ever play one up front? but what do I know, as Keane pointed out today I have only watched this club as a fan for 35 years , so I know sweet F/A and my opinion is also worthless!!!
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dobbie73 added 15:44 - Oct 19 Looks like a certain W.Rooney may be available soon, lol ....
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Vexorg added 16:34 - Oct 19 "none of our lads are on £20,000, £25,000, £40,000 or £60,000 a week" a good starting point. £12,000 and we could have thrown lee martin back to him
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dubblue added 16:35 - Oct 19 Robbie Keane? probably past his best at this stage.
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whoppit added 16:59 - Oct 19 Scotland may score those goals in the Championship but if a miracle happens and we DO go up, he will flop like a fat man in a pool. Just like he did at Wigan. Wickham shows great promise but he is FAR from the finished article. Hopefully, he will live up to his promise and not fade away like other teen wonders have done before him. If only he had a decent motivating manager to help him and not the head slapping thug we have for the next 6 months !!!

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bleedblue added 17:58 - Oct 19 Travelling from the West along M25 is congested but travelling fans should be ok from ipswich - but rush hour is getting busy - don't panic though guys - get on http://www.ukhaulier.co.uk if you need further traffic updates.
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dirtydingusmagee added 20:10 - Oct 19 whoppit if he scores the goals and gets us up,he will have done the job !Why slag him off for perhaps failing in Prem before we are there.?
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tom_the_blue added 18:00 - Oct 20 we will score lots, he has a knack of getting in the right opsition, and has a hell of a shot on him!!!
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Skip73 added 22:25 - Oct 20 Well said Dingus
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Acen added 22:36 - Oct 20 He might score 20 goals in his garden, he's good but he's not that good.
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