MALCOLM Webster has spoken with Ipswich Town about the vacant goalkeeping coach vacancy.Webster is currently at Southampton but with a boardroom reshuffle in progress this week his position is uncertain at St Mary's.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

MALCOLM Webster has spoken with Ipswich Town about the vacant goalkeeping coach vacancy.

Webster is currently at Southampton but with a boardroom reshuffle in progress this week his position is uncertain at St Mary's.

The Blues have been inundated with applications for the position after Andy Rhodes left the club last Friday.

But the EADT understands manager Jim Magilton has already spoken with Webster who was at Portman Road with George Burley and left shortly after Joe Royle arrived, who then brought in Rhodes, and his son Jordan.

Rhodes senior is understood to be among the candidates for the vacancy at Norwich City as Glenn Roeder also searches for a goalkeeping coach.

Webster still has a home in Cambridge where he has family and travels back and forth to the south coast, so would like to move back to the area.

With Rupert Lowe set to return to Southampton as chairman Webster is not sure if he will have a job in any subsequent managerial reshuffle.

The popular and highly rated coach was instrumental in getting Richard Wright to the Saints on loan from West Ham and many Southampton fans believe Wright saved them from relegation.

It follows that having Webster at Portman Road would improve Town's chances of signing Wright if they wished with the former England keeper disillusioned about playing second fiddle to Robert Green at Upton Park.

Green is another keeper who used to be coached by Webster, along with Kelvin Davis whose injury at St Mary's prompted the move for Wright.

Webster has coached at Colchester United, Cambridge United, Norwich, Ipswich, Derby, Hibs and Southampton.

He also runs well-attended summer goalkeeping courses which Town keepers regularly attended over the years.

Shane Supple, who is on loan at Falkirk, and Derby keeper Lewis Price both flourished under Webster's tutelage at Town.

While Webster is high in Magilton's thoughts, it is understood the list of applicants has included many other high-calibre coaches for the manager to consider.

There is also a chance that Magilton may look to promote Nick Colgan to the role if he decides to stop playing.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk