IT is the worst kept secret among all of Paul Jewell’s transfer targets this summer.

But the Town boss has once again dealt Arran Lee-Barrett a hammer blow by reiterating his desire for a new “number one”.

The news might not come as a surprise to most Town supporters but Jewell clearly views Lee-Barrett – who has made 20 appearances this season – as merely a reserve.

And the Blues boss has not hesitated in trying to acquire a new man between the sticks, revealing: “We spoke to someone regarding a goalkeeper.

“I think it’s been quite apparent that we need a goalkeeper. We’ve had a couple of loanees and we’ve had Arran (Lee-Barrett), he’s done okay when he’s come in, but we need a big presence – a number one goalkeeper. That’s how I feel.”

Birmingham stopper Colin Doyle has been linked with a move to Ipswich but we understand he is not the keeper Jewell is referring to.

Manchester United’s Tomasz Kuszczak, a free agent in the summer, is thought to be higher on the list of priorities.

But a new number one is just for starters with Jewell stating: “I think the spine of the team needs to be strengthened – we’ve been a bit powder-puff if I’m being brutally honest.

“We have got a couple of targets we’re chasing. Ideally we would like to do business sooner rather than later, but in this business things don’t always fall for you when you want them to.”