SHANE Supple was today given an added boost after keeping a clean sheet in last night's Pontin's Holiday Combination League Champions Cup final 2-0 win over Brighton at Portman Road.

By Elvin King

SHANE Supple was today given an added boost after keeping a clean sheet in last night's Pontin's Holiday Combination League Champions Cup final 2-0 win over Brighton at Portman Road.

The 20-year-old goalkeeper was given the number one jersey soon after Jim Magilton took over as manager in the summer of 2006. But he found himself on the bench watching Lewis Price keep goal for most of last season, and has now be overtaken in the pecking order by Scottish international Neil Alexander.

Signed from Cardiff City this summer on a free transfer, 29-year-old Alexander has already made a good impression and has given the back line more authority according to Magilton.

Alexander has no doubts that Supple will make the grade, and he said: “Shane's a great lad, a young keeper with a fantastic future ahead of him.”

“I've been so impressed with him.

“Ability-wise he's got everything and I think he's going to go on and become one of the best goalkeepers in this league. Or quite conceivably in a higher league.

“Shane is a really nice lad. We work together every day, he helps me and I help him.

“If he can keep his head down and do the right things he's got a fantastic, bright future ahead of him.”

Chris Casement and Billy Clarke scored the Ipswich goals last night in the first half on a night when Town suffered a blow with Danny Haynes being dismissed for violent conduct.

Brighton had their moments and Supple was called on to make good saves from Jake Robinson and Joe Gatting.

Reports in the Spanish media suggest that Ipswich Town are currently in talks about signing Malaga central defender Cesar Navas, who impressed while on trial at Portman Road before breaking the third metatarsal in his right foot.

An official from Ipswich was reported to be in Spain yesterday, but Town have been unable to confirm this.

The 27-year-old, who will be out of action for another four weeks, looks set to strengthen the Ipswich back four positions.

Malaga appear to be keen to offload Navas from their wage bill as it is understood to make up a seventh of their overall player costs.

They allowed him to go to Gimnàstic de Tarragona on loan last season.

With a year remaining on Navas' Malaga contract, around £300,000 has been mentioned as a possible fee.