Ipswich fail with double defender swoop

Ipswich boss Roy Keane has reportedly failed in a double loan bid to sign Stoke defenders Danny Higginbotham and Leon Cort.

Keane is anxious to add to his squad at Portman Road and has made signing a centre back a priority with Gareth McAuley out for at least two weeks through injury.

Higginbotham and Cort have both found themselves out of the first team at the Britannia Stadium this season but Stoke boss Tony Pulis is said to have turned down Keane's approach as he wants cover in defence.

Higginbotham, 30, was linked with the Blues in the summer but dismissed the claims, saying he wanted to remain at Stoke.

Keane knows the former Derby and Southampton defender well having played alongside side him at Old Trafford and managed him at Sunderland prior to his move to Stoke in 2008.

Cort, who is also 30, is yet to feature in the Premier League for Stoke this season.