IPSWICH TOWN chief executive Simon Clegg has denied that manager Roy Keane has fallen out with owner Marcus Evans and the club’s board. Keane has shown signs of frustration after slow progress in the transfer market this summer.

But Clegg said: “Roy and I have a very open relationship. I recognise he’s a very demanding individual but the most important thing is that we’re both focused on achieving the same goal.”

Clegg added: “Roy and I speak regularly, sometimes two, three or four times a day.”

Keane has been partly appeased with the signing of Wigan striker Jason Scotland, but has suggested that some of the deals he has lined up have been held up at boardroom level.

The Scotland purchase was funded by Jon Walters’ move to Stoke City, but Clegg says it is unlikely more cash from the sale will be made available.

“We have spent some of that with Jason Scotland but it’s important to recognise that we have to operate this club on a firm financial model,” he added.

“We’ve seen too many clubs go into administration, indeed this club itself has been in administration. No one would thank me for spending money openly and without making sure we are doing so in an appropriate way that allows us to bring in the right players, at the right price, and not simply throw money at things.”

One way of generating cash would be to sell striker Connor Wickham. The 17-year-old, currently out with an ankle injury, attracted much attention over the summer, but Clegg maintains the club have never received an offer for his services.

“There had been a number of discussions but we’ve not had any firm bids,” he said.

“There’s a lot of interest in Connor, he’s an awesome individual and the strength he’s going to come back with in a couple of weeks’ time will be fairly impressive.”