IPSWICH Town manager Roy Keane is on red alert to bring in a loan goalkeeper before his team play Bristol City in the Championship at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Roy Keane is on red alert to bring in a loan goalkeeper before his team play Bristol City in the Championship at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

Richard Wright yesterday underwent scans on the knee he damaged in the 2-1 victory at Cardiff City on Sunday and the indications are that he will be out of action for a number of weeks.

If the 32-year-old's injury is not as serious as feared, Keane will select between Wright and deputy Arran Lee-Barrett for the trip to Bristol.

But if Wright is ruled out for the weekend, Ipswich can take advantage of emergency procedures that enable them to bring in a loan keeper.

Loan moves for outfield players are a no go area until January 1, but if the Blues can show evidence that they are under staffed through injury or illness between the posts they will be able to add to their staff.

A short one-week deal is possible and a keeper can be signed from the Premier and Football Leagues.

If Wright is ruled out then Lee-Barrett, who played well when he came on as a 25th minute substitute at Cardiff, will be considered the only available Town keeper with Asmir Begovic having gone back to Portsmouth last week and new signing from Irish club Bohemians Brian Murphy ineligible to play until next month.

The other keepers on Town books - Ian McLoughlin and Italian Under-16 international Mirko Ranieri, who is on loan from Tottenham - are recognised as a youth team players.

The results of Wright's scans are expected later today with Keane fearing the worst.

“Richard doesn't go down for nothing, but we will know more when we get the results of the scans,” said Keane.

Shane Supple, who would have been in line for a first team Town place if he had not prematurely retired from the game last August, has confirmed that he has not had any second thoughts about retiring.

He was asked if he would consider replacing Murphy in the Bohemians goal for next year's Irish season.

There would have been a chance of Champions League football with the League of Ireland champions boss Pat Fenlon revealing: “We made an inquiry about Shane, but he made it clear he has no interest in playing soccer, at least not at this point in time.

“He's a good age and has experience, but he has made his decision and soccer doesn't interest him.”

Town defender Alex Bruce is expected to be out for another two to three weeks after suffering a groin tear in the home draw against Sheffield Wednesday on November 21.

It is the other leg to which Bruce picked up a groin problem and had to miss games after coming off during the 4-0 home drubbing by Newcastle United on September 26.