By Derek DavisGOALKEEPING coach Andy Rhodes has been given the No. 25 shirt as back-up to the two rookie keepers Ipswich Town are planning to start the season with.

By Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

GOALKEEPING coach Andy Rhodes has been given the No. 25 shirt as back-up to the two rookie keepers Ipswich Town are planning to start the season with.

Lewis Price, who has kept his No. 34 shirt, will battle it out with Shane Supple, who sticks with No. 31.

The No. 1 shirt may have been left free in case boss Joe Royle decides to go after an experienced gloveman during a transfer window, or to show no bias towards either of the two youngsters.

Rhodes, 41 in a fortnight, was on stand-by to be on the bench last season a couple of times but was not called upon, although he almost made a bow during a friendly game in Denmark last summer.

He said: “It makes sense for me to be registered in case of emergency, as was the case last season, but it would be extreme circumstances that would necessitate me playing.

“Mind you I would love it, bring it on.”

The veteran, who has the unusual distinction of playing in both the English and the Scottish League Cup finals, last made a serious outing in the league for Bradford City in the 2003-04 season, and has played in Masters five-a-side tournaments.

Rhodes (pictured right) feels Price has the edge over his young rival and will be hankering to be given the No. 1 shirt by right.

He said: “Lewis is a little bit ahead in terms of experience and maturity. He has played in games and has shown he is capable. That is not to say Shane would not be ready if he had to be.

“He probably needs another 12 months to develop physically which is possibly his only weakness. In terms of technical ability and attitude he is ready, as we have seen.”

New signings Nicky Forster and Sam Parkin have the Nos. 8 and 9 shirts respectively, while it is pretty much as you were for the remaining players.

The only other change sees Dean McDonald handed the No. 14 shirt instead of the No. 15 he was given last season.

With eight players having left since the last home league game of last season and two new arrivals, a number of spaces have been left in the squad list, which has yet to be ratified by the Football League.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk