Brighton v Ipswich: Scott Loach will tonight go toe-to-toe with the man Paul Jewell identified as his number one goalkeeping target this summer.

The Blues boss had Tomasz Kuszczak in his office, but the club could not agree terms with the former Manchester United keeper, who went on to sign for Brighton.

Jewell’s search for a new number one was eventually resolved a month later when Loach signed for a cut-price �150,000 from Watford.

The 24-year-old again proved what a bargain buy he is on Saturday after denying Barnsley in much the same way he came to Town’s rescue against Huddersfield.

Town assistant boss Chris Hutchings said: “He has saved us a few times, but that is what he is paid to do. Potentially, he was a very good goalkeeper a few years ago. He lost a little bit of confidence at some stage in his career, but we feel he has got very good attributes and he is resurrecting his career here.”

As for losing out on tonight’s opposing keeper, Hutchings added: “These things happen. You win some, you lose some. Some players don’t, for whatever reason, sign for the club and on this occasion that happened.

“It is up to Scotty to make sure he does well and shows what he can do. He’s done OK. We would like a few more clean sheets but that is not just down to him.”