Michael Appleton and Kieran McKenna comment on Richard Keogh's imminent move from Blackpool to Ipswich Town

The Gazette first reported on Tuesday that the 35-year-old is on the verge of joining the League One side, who have chased the 35-year-old for much of the summer.

The Seasiders have already knocked back two bids for the centre-back, but Keogh is keen to make the move to Portman Road to be closer to his family.

Keogh was born in Essex and came through the youth ranks with Ipswich as a youngster.

When asked about Keogh’s imminent departure, Blackpool boss Michael Appleton told The Gazette: “I think he’s got a couple of medical stuff and scans that need to be completed, but once he gets the green light he will be heading to Ipswich.”

Appleton, speaking after last night’s Carabao Cup defeat to Barrow, even revealed Keogh might not be the only player to depart before Saturday’s league clash against Swansea City.

“You can never be 100 per cent with these things but I’d imagine there will certainly be one or two out,” he said.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, meanwhile, opted to keep his cards close to his chest when asked about Keogh following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Colchester United on Tuesday night.

“There’s nothing announced so I won’t speak about any individuals until it’s done,” he told the East Anglian Daily Times.

“But that is a profile of a defender we’ve looked at over the summer to potentially add to our group,” he said.

“We feel like we have a really talented centre-half group with some good young defenders, but for that department Cam Burgess is the oldest at 26 going down to Elkan Baggott at 19.

“It’s a young group and we’ve looked at the teams who are successful in our division and they predominantly include an older player in that unit who can help develop the other players and help the team over the course of a season.

“We could also allow some of our other defenders to get games (on loan) and if and when that’s formalised it will be announced by the club.”