JUST as defending starts from the front with the strikers, so the Blues attack often begins with the pinpoint accuracy of Kelvin Davis. And Lewis Price, the back-up keeper who is learning so much from the Town number one, believes Davis will play a big part in Ipswich's goals-inspired promotion push.

JUST as defending starts from the front with the strikers, so the Blues attack often begins with the pinpoint accuracy of Kelvin Davis.

And Lewis Price, the back-up keeper who is learning so much from the Town number one, believes Davis will play a big part in Ipswich's goals-inspired promotion push.

Like Richard Wright in Town's last successful campaign to reach the Premiership, Davis is showing his worth in more than just making great saves and keeping clean sheets.

Price said: “There are few people who kick the ball really well. Kelvin is one of them, Richard Wright was another.

“They can put the ball exactly where they want it. They can put it pretty much on to someone's head and that is a big asset. A lot of goals start from the back and Kelvin puts good balls forward.”

The glove-wearers' solidarity prevents Price from saying outright that the pass from Davis which led to Shefki Kuqi netting the winner against Coventry was intended, but he joked: “We were out there practising it today.”

Price also revealed how Town were using a canny old Scottish tactic in which to get moves under way with Davis playing a low ball forward to the left back who drops away from the centre circle where everyone else is waiting. Price said: “It is something that Willie Donachie started with Matt Richards and we all do it now.

“It is a good move and not many teams have cottoned on to it.”

Price enjoyed a good run in the team earlier in the season when Davis was injured and then went on loans to Cambridge United for more first-team experience.

He was recalled when Shane Supple suffered a heel problem but doesn't resent having to work all week without the reward of a Saturday match and is still benefiting from the experience in the Town camp.

He said: “Kelvin helps me a lot and we get on really well together. We have our own little union with Andy Rhodes the coach and Shane Supple as well.

“I have got into a routine of preparing for first team games whether I play or not. If the next game is a reserve match or an international I'm mentally prepared.”

Although born in Bournemouth, Price has made an impression in Wales, playing for the Under-21s.

His next game, apart from Town reserves against Coventry, will be in the European Championship qualifiers against arch-rivals Germany.

Price said: “It is big thing for me, an Englishman playing for Wales against Germany.

“These are the sort of games we need to start thinking about getting three points if we want to go through.

“It was great playing against England at their place but it would have been quite something to get a result there.”

Price will be on the bench at Reading today and is likely to be joined by club skipper Jim Magilton who has struggled with a hamstring all week.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk