Ipswich striker Jon Stead fears he could be sold by Roy Keane for the second time in his career.

The 26-year-old was allowed to move to Sheffield United from Sunderland when Keane was manager of the Black Cats in 2007 and, after a lack of first-team opportunities so far this term, hopes history will not repeat itself.

Stead has only started four games in the Championship this season, without finding the back of the net, but does not want to move away from Portman Road.

"He's (Keane's) sold me before, so it's been on my mind," Stead told Greenun24.

"It's his decision in January. If that's the case then I would have to look at my options. But I like the area, so that's not an issue. I just want to play some games.

"I am no different to any striker. I want to score goals, and to do that I must get back into the team and start playing regularly again.

"I've only had four starts so far this season, and I've been taken off at half-time in some of them, so it's not been ideal.

"I haven't played as well as last season, and I'm not going to pull the wool over my eyes and say any different. Very few of us have played well, week in, week out."

Stead was disappointed to read reports during the summer transfer window that Keane was looking to sell him, after the Town boss had given him assurances that he remained in his plans.

"It was a shock for me to read that I wasn't going to play for Ipswich again," he added.

"I had personally spoken to the manager, so I knew that this was not the case, and is still not the case.

"Therefore the story didn't affect me because I knew it wasn't true. I'm still very much involved, and I'm still in the frame."