Ipswich boss Roy Keane hopes to keep hold of 16 year-old striker Connor Wickham.

Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with the teenager.

But Keane says: “We can’t stop speculation and that’s all it is. We’ve seen it over the last few years, whether it’s the Chelseas, the Uniteds, the Liverpools, they’re more than capable of buying young players from other clubs. I understand that as well, that’s the way of the world, they’ll go and try and get the best players from other clubs. That never changes.

“He’s got potential, just as I think I’ve the potential to be a top manager, but that’s all it is. We have to go easy on the boy as he’s 16 years of age and learning his trade.

“He’s got a chance, but I’ve seen loads of players that you think will go right to the very top, but for one reason or another it doesn’t happen. We’ve got to be careful with Connor because he’s 16, it’s scary! We’ve got to go easy, but the boy’s got a chance.”