• The Championship

Wickham can be as good as Rooney - Keane

ESPNsoccernet staff
December 9, 2010
Connor Wickham has attracted the attention of a number of Premier League clubs © PA Photos
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Ipswich boss Roy Keane has lavished praise on young striker Connor Wickham, claiming that the 17-year-old can be as good as Wayne Rooney one day.

Wickham, who stands at 6' 3'', has struggled with injury this season, limiting him to just three starts in the Championship thus far. However, the England Under-21 striker has been attracting attention from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal and may choose to move on in January if the club agree to a sale.

Keane maintains that, while he would not want to see the youngster leave, there is a price that he would consider letting him go for.

"There aren't many Connor Wickhams around,'' he said. ''You have to be careful not to be blasé and say we'll take seven or eight million for him. I have a figure in mind that we'd have to consider.

"Big teams wouldn't buy him for what he's doing now. They'd buy him for what he'll be doing in four or five years' time. United had to pay £28 million for Rooney when he was 18."

Keane added: "Can Connor be as good as Wayne? He has the potential."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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