By Derek DavisANOTHER of Ipswich Town's old guard has left the club with goalkeeping coach Malcolm Webster linking up with old boss George Burley at Derby County.

By Derek Davis

ANOTHER of Ipswich Town's old guard has left the club with goalkeeping coach Malcolm Webster linking up with old boss George Burley at Derby County.

Webster takes up his new post at Pride Park on Friday and follows Tony Mowbray out of the coaches' exit door.

Andy Rhodes, who worked with Joe Royle at Manchester City, took Town's goalkeeping training yesterday and is being considered to permanently fill the gap left by Webster and join right-hand man Willie Donachie and Steve McCall, who was promoted to first-team coach when Mowbray took over at SPL club Hibernian, on the coaching staff.

The man who played a big part in enticing Kelvin Davis to Portman Road and primed Lewis Price for his first-team debut at Gillingham last season admits it was a heart-wrenching decision to leave the club he joined full-time in 2000 after years helping out part-time.

Webster said: "It will be difficult to say goodbye to everyone, Joe and Willie and even Wendy the tea-lady, but most of all it will be heart-rendering to leave behind my keepers.

"Kelvin Davis is a top-notch keeper who I believe can play at the very highest level and Lewis and Shane Supple are good youngsters with tremendous potential.

"George has asked me half a dozen times to join him but I have never been one to leave a club midway through the season.

"I have always enjoyed a close relationship with George and I'm looking forward to this new and exciting challenge."

The 53-year-old former Arsenal, Fulham, Southend and Cambridge United keeper has taught the very best at Portman Road, and other clubs.

Richard Wright has often credited Webster with helping him become an England keeper, while Norwich stopper Rob Green is another who has benefited from his guidance.

Royle said: We wish Malcolm well. He did a terrific job here for Ipswich and will be missed."

Derby's director of football Murdo Mackay last night said: "We are very lucky to be able to get someone of Malcolm Webster's ability as he is someone who is highly-respected throughout the game."

Former Town European scout Simon Hunt has already joined Burley's backroom staff from Ipswich.