IPSWICH Town goalkeeper coach Andy Rhodes today stressed that the Blues are still in very good hands despite Richard Wright's decision to sign for West Ham.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town goalkeeper coach Andy Rhodes today stressed that the Blues are still in very good hands despite Richard Wright's decision to sign for West Ham.

Rhodes, who heads for Germany at the weekend to spend time at the Bayern Munich training camp, is confident Town can be a force next season with either Lewis Price or Shape Supple between the posts.

“The manager may have been looking for a bit more experience as both Lewis and Shane are youngsters in goalkeeping terms,” said Rhodes.

“But I have no problem with either Lewis or Shane, who are both quality goalkeepers who will only get better the more they play.

“There were errors last season, but very, very few glaring ones, and I looked through the Championship TV programme most Sundays and saw goals flying into other teams' net that were just not happening at Ipswich.

“Both Lewis and Shane have comeback from their summer breaks in great shape, and they are the two best professionals at the club.

“The rumour mill regarding Richard (Wright) has been going on for some time, but both have handled it well.

“Ipswich Town are still in very good hands.”

Blues chairman David Sheepshanks backed up Rhodes' faith in Welsh international Price, 22, and Supple, 20.

Sheepshanks said: “We are disappointed Richard (Wright) chose not to join us but recognise that extra money for sitting on the bench at Upton Park must be more appealing than the opportunity to feature regularly for your home town team.

“There has been a consideration to bring in a senior goalkeeper but we are very fortunate to have two of the brightest young keepers in the country on our staff already.”

Rhodes was impressed watching a Bayern Munich warm-up before a Champions' League game against Real Madrid on TV.

“I mentioned this to Charlie Woods, who knows former England striker Tony Woodcock who is now an agent in Germany,” said Rhodes.

“Tony has fixed it up and I will be going to the Bayern training camp and watching coach Sepp Mair and keeper Oliver Kahn go through their paces.”

Ipswich player liaison officer Wolfe Powell will be accompanying Rhodes with Rhodes back for Ipswich's game at Kettering next Thursday.