Sereni's move completed

By Derek Davis

Chief Football Writer

WITH Matteo Sereni's move to Lazio now complete Blues boss Joe Royle is close to sorting out his mini goalkeeping crisis.

Sereni completed his medical yesterday afternoon to a sigh of relief all round and in time to be registered for the Champions' League squad.

The money saved on wages, £3m over the two years, and a little bit in the bank courtesy of the Serie A club, will allow Royle a bit more flexibility in his relatively thin squad.

The EADT first revealed Sereni's move to Lazio and now the player has agreed personal terms and to join his old friend Roberto Mancini's side and fulfil his desire to play in his home country and in the Champions' League.

Royle will continue to run the rule over Javier Sanchez Broto, the Spanish keeper with experience at Livingstone and Celtic, over the next few days in Sweden and Denmark.

Royle last night said: “Everything has been sorted out to everyone's satisfaction at last and we can all move on.

“We will have a close look at Javier over the next few days and make our decision as to whether he will be our starting keeper.”

Andy Marshall has been frozen out at Portman Road but as yet no clubs have made a firm move for the £15,000-a-week keeper even though he is on a free transfer.

No doubt someone will come in for him in the next month but it is more than likely to be a loan deal. The same fate probably awaits James Pullen, who may have to lower his sights to get fixed up.

Lewis Price continues to make good progress and Royle appears comfortable using the Welsh Under-19 as a back-up.