Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert has played down the possibility of a return to Portman Road for striker Will Keane ahead of next season.

The striker scored three goals in 11 Championship appearances for Ipswich while on loan from Hull in the second half of last season, but suffered from not one but two hamstring injuries during his time at the club, as the Tractor Boys finished bottom of the division, leaving them facing League One football next season.

Keane was released from Hull at the end of last season, meaning that he is now available on a free transfer, and although both Keane and Lambert had hinted earlier in the year that they would be open to a Portman Road reunion in the summer, that looks unlikely for now.

Speaking to The East Anglian Daily Times about a possible return to the club for Keane, Lambert said:

"Will's probably still rehabbing with his hamstring.

"I don't know whether he might be on holiday.

"That's the situation with him. We'll wait and see. I need everybody fully fit to perform."

It has already been a case of one in and one out for Ipswich in regards to strikers in the summer transfer window, with James Norwood joining from newly-promoted League One side Tranmere Rovers, while Ellis Harrison has left the club to join another third-tier club in the shape of Portsmouth.

The verdict

This seems a strange move from Lambert.

Keane was impressive at Portman Road in what was a difficult situation last year in the Championship, so you feel that he could thrive in League One should he be given the opportunity to do so.

The fact that he is available on a free also makes you think that this may be one worth going for for Lambert, since there is less of a financial risk around the deal than if they were having to buy him from Hull.

The departure of Ellis Harrison means Ipswich are arguably still in need of an experienced striker this coming season, and Keane may not be too bad an option for the Tractor Boys to consider.