Premiership new boys want keeper Price

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH goalkeeper Lewis Price is wanted by Premiership new boys Derby County.

The Rams are one of two clubs who have shown an interest in signing the Welsh international.

Manager Billy Davies sees Price, who will be 23 in two days' time, as ideal cover for first choice Stephen Bywater.

If the move goes ahead Town are likely to pocket around £500,000, which will represent good business after they snapped him up for nothing.

Price was released from Southampton's academy as a teenager, resurfaced at Ipswich and graduated to become the number one choice.

But yesterday's capture of Scottish international Neil Alexander on a free transfer means he is available - if the price is right.

Derby are in the market for a new keeper because former England Under-21 cap Lee Camp is likely to sign for QPR, where he enjoyed a successful loan spell last season.

Davies has told him he can stay and challenge Bywater for the first team berth - but Camp is thought to prefer the option of regular football at Loftus Road.

Camp's departure would leave a vacancy - ex-Preston teenager Ben Hinchcliffe is not considered ready to deputise for Bywater - that the Rams want Price to fill.

With Alexander, who rejected Cardiff's offer of a new contract, destined to be Town's new number one, Price faces a tricky decision.

It could be that the option of joining Derby will have only limited appeal, since it will offer no guarantee of regular first team football.

He may prefer to stay in the Championship should one of Town's rivals see him as first choice, although a move to Pride Park would certainly be more attractive financially.

If he wants to add to his Welsh international honours, it is essential that he is playing regularly or he is likely to be overlooked by boss John Toshack.

Derby's move for Price is likely to be placed on hold since Davies and his players are currently in Italy on a pre-season tour.