The Premier League recently voted to increase the parachute payments for clubs suffering relegation out of the top flight to a potential £48million spread over four years, rather than the current £32million over two seasons.

And Keane said: "It's going to be very, very difficult. I'd like to know what clubs voted for that. The bottom three must have definitely voted for it, so it's going to be extra hard I have to say.

"You look at the teams that have gone up this year. Obviously West Brom came down, and Newcastle, so they'll always be strong anyway, but now they are given these extra few years and the extra money, so the longer you are out of the Premier League, it's just going to get tougher and tougher.

"It's not just Ipswich, but it applies to all the other clubs who have been in the Championship for a long time.

"But that's why we do it, because it's the challenge - can we do it?"

Veteran goalkeeper Dean Kiely is set to reach a personal landmark after agreeing a new deal with WEST BROM.

Now in his 20th season, Kiely will achieve his target of playing professionally at the age of 40, a goal he set when he turned 30.

He told the official club website: "It will be mission accomplished and I'll take great satisfaction from that."

DERBY defender Russell Anderson has also penned a new contract.

The 31-year-old, who joined the Rams in January on a short-term deal until the end of the season after leaving Sunderland, has committed himself to Pride Park for a further two years.

"This is the perfect start to what is going to be an important summer of recruitment," manager Nigel Clough told the club's official website.

PRESTON manager Darren Ferguson is looking to extend midfielder Matthew James' loan deal for next season.

The 18-year-old moved to Deepdale from Manchester United in February on loan until the end of the season and has put in some excellent displays, scoring twice in 15 starts.

Ferguson is weighing up his options for next season and as well as extending James' loan, he is also considering moves for fellow loanees Elliott Ward and Tom Williams.

He told the club's official website: "I have to take the three of them into the equation with the budget and I think I have said before that I am looking to extend Matty's loan for another year and I think that will get done.

"We still have two games left and I have already had one meeting with the board, but we'll probably have to have one or two more to decide exactly where we are going to go and that will make my mind up on them."

In League One, BRISTOL ROVERS have handed a trial to SWANSEA midfielder Matty Collins, while LEEDS defender Patrick Kisnorbo has revealed he will miss the first two months of next season due to his Achilles injury.

MILLWALL have recalled striker Lewis Grabban from his loan spell at BRENTFORD. Grabban has scored two goals in seven appearances since moving from south to west London, but the promotion-chasing Lions have exercised their 24-hour recall clause.

Millwall have also been fined £2,500 by the Football Association, with WYCOMBE ordered to pay £3,500, for a incident that occurred during the two side's league fixture in February.

Dropping down another division, LINCOLN have confirmed that defender Paul Green suffered a broken foot at the weekend.