Owen Garvan and Jon Stead could still have futures at Portman Road.

Ipswich Town boss Roy Keane revealed on Monday that some of the players who under-performed in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion were ‘highly unlikely’ to play for him again.

He did not name names, but was left seething at reports that Garvan, Stead and Alan Quinn were the trio he had in mind – and that their agents had been told to find them new clubs.

Garvan and Stead were left out of the squad for Tuesday’s Carling Cup defeat at Peterborough.

However, Keane fumed: “You can’t write off the Ipswich careers of Owen and Jon on the back of them not being at Peterborough.

“Colin Healy and Damien Delaney were not in my squad for The Hawthorns but they were back on Tuesday.”

Keane also dismissed a claim that Quinn’s Town days were numbered and said: “He was in my team at Peterborough.”

Keane admitted his side’s missed penalty was a major turning point in the 2-1 defeat at London Road.

Tamas Priskin, having given his side the lead, saw his spot-kick saved and the Town boss said: “It was a big factor in the game.

“Two-nil would have made it very difficult for them, but you’ve got to take those opportunities.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get anything from the game.

“We started well and when we got the ball down and passed it we looked a decent team.

“But we couldn’t keep it going and, although their first goal was outstanding, the second was down to very poor defending.”

Meanwhile, reports in Scotland claim Town are set to sign Celtic captain Stephen McManus on loan with a view to a £2.5 million move.

It could well be that an experienced centre-half is one of Keane’s targets, as his side have conceded a number of poor goals this season.