Kid gloves treatment for keeper
IPSWICH Town will have to wrap up Arran Lee-Barrett in cotton wool ahead of this Saturday's trip to Bristol City.
Carl Marston
IPSWICH Town will have to wrap up Arran Lee-Barrett in cotton wool ahead of this Saturday's trip to Bristol City.
Town boss Roy Keane is on the look-out for a new keeper, which he should be able to secure on an emergency week-to-week basis, even though the transfer deadline for loan signings ended last Thursday.
But although the race is now on to sign a new keeper, as it stands Lee-Barrett is currently Town's only fit senior goalkeeper.
It's an incredible rise up the ladder for Lee-Barrett, who was third choice between Asmir Begovic and Richard Wright just over a week ago.
But loanee Begovic's return to his parent club Portsmouth, followed by Wright's unfortunate knee injury, sustained during the first half at Cardiff City, has suddenly thrust Lee-Barrett into the limelight.
Most Read
- 1 Suffolk woman stole thousands from football club and school
- 2 What time will the Red Arrows be flying over Suffolk this weekend?
- 3 Revealed: The most popular Suffolk fish and chip shop
- 4 London couple transform Suffolk home into an 'intimate' lifestyle retreat
- 5 Woman in hospital with life-threatening injuries after serious A143 crash
- 6 Two motorbikes stolen after break-in at Suffolk home
- 7 14 players that Town could target for a creative spark
- 8 Former Town striker's front-to-back season could end in Wembley glory
- 9 'He's an amazing guy... a legend' - United keeper de Gea's praise for new Town coach Grant
- 10 Man claims supermarket fuel was contaminated as he reveals £200 repair bill
The Ipswich-born 25-year-old came on as a 25th minute substitute at Cardiff, following Wright's departure, and although he had no chance with Peter Whittingham's sizzling volley, he still ended up on the winning side thanks to second-half goals from Jon Walters and Jon Stead in a 2-1 away win.
Now Lee-Barrett is assured at least a place in Town's 18-man squad for the game at Ashton Gate - next in line is teenage youth teamer Ian McLoughlin, followed by 17-year-old Tottenham loanee Mirko Ranieri.
So whether Keane lands a new keeper or not - and the chances are that he will - Lee-Barrett's fitness is of paramount importance to Keane.
The ex-Hartlepool custodian, who made 55 league appearances for Pools, was released last summer and ended up at Town, on a short-term contract, following Shane Supple's retirement from professional football.
Following the win at Cardiff, Lee-Barrett said: “My contract is up in January. I don't know whether I'll get an extension. I just have to try and impress, and see what happens.”
Wright will be sidelined for four months, after scans revealed that he had suffered a partial tear to his cruciate ligament, following a collision with Cardiff striker Michael Chopra.
It is hoped that the ex-England keeper will make a complete recovery without the need for surgery.
