Keeper search to take a new twist

JOE ROYLE'S search for a new goalkeeper is expected to take a new twist tomorrow when a new, experienced shot-stopper meets the squad after they return from Sweden, writes Derek Davis.

It is believed that the keeper is a top English name, although former Chelsea goalkeeper and Dutch international Ed de Goey is doing the rounds with a number of clubs interested.

While James Pullen is at Dagenham & Redbridge hoping to impress a club enough to gain a free transfer, Andy Marshall is still in limbo and Royle last night denied Reading were keen on him despite reports.

He said: "I have not heard from Reading at all."

Whoever the keeper that Royle is after it doesn't appear to be Paul Gerrard who came in on loan last season.

Gerrard has denied making comments that he wanted to return to Ipswich and said on the official Everton club website: "I haven't spoken to anyone about going back to Ipswich.

"Ipswich is a great club and I enjoyed my time there but at the moment all I am doing is concentrating on working hard for Everton.

"I have a year left on my contract and due to Richard (Wright) picking up an injury over the summer, I could be handed a chance at the start of the season."

Ipswich Town return home tonight with Colchester United at Layer Road on Saturday the next pre-season friendly.

Martijn Reuser laid a marker down for a regular starting position by scoring from his favoured midfield role and looking back to his best last night.

Reuser also had a hand in another of the goals as Ipswich hit five past a Swedish combination side in Trelleborgs.

Marcus Bent, Darren Bent and Pablo Counago continued their good goalscoring form with Fabian Wilnis popping up with the last.

Reuser, who went on as a substiture after just 10 minutes when Antonio Murray went off with a back injury, has now earmarked a place in the starting XI against Levski Sofia at Portman Road, an indication of Joe Royle's favoured league side.

Reuser said: "I have had a few attempts in recent games without scoring so to get one now was great. It is good to get my eye in again and I feel overall I did well for the team.

"I know there is a lot of competition for places, especially in our midfield but there were a few injuries so I was able to get in my midfield place.

"It is up to me now to show the manager I can play in that position and it is my ambition to play there. I feel sharper, I played 75 minutes so that has also helped.

"Now I want to keep going and be in the side that plays against Levski Sofia and then Reading the week after.

"Joe has said at the moment not to take notice of the line ups and not to jump to conclusions about who is starting where."

Tommy Miller, Richard Naylor and Jim Magilton missed out with minor injuries and Town started slowly against moderate opposition.

Reuser said: "Our passing was off in the first half but some of them have played a lot of gruelling games in a week so it was not surprising.

"But once we got going and in the second half especially we were very good and we showed again we have a lot of goals in us."

Town lost Irish defender Gerard Nash just 30 seconds after going on as a substitute after an accidental clash of heads, and he needed hospital treatment to a deep gash above an eye.

The game was a little late kicking off due to the presentations of the teams and the singing of the national anthems, which were respectively listened too, which was delightful to observe.

Cardiff City manager Lennie Lawrence, with coach Ian Butterworth and former Town defender Gary Croft were among the crowd as they took a break from their own pre-season trip in what is a lovely part of Scandinavia.