Arran Lee-Barrett looks set to keep his place in the Town goal until at least January with Roy Keane confirming that he isn’t currently looking to sign another keeper. Although under Football League rules the Blues are unable to get anyone in on loan, they could still sign someone who has been without a club since the summer.

Keane says Town’s keeper woes stretch back to the summer: “There’s been a problem with goalkeepers ever since I’ve come to the club. There was the disappointment at the start of the season when Shane retired.

“Obviously now there’s Wrighty getting injured and Asmir Begovic going back last week. This time two weeks ago we had three goalkeepers and now we’re down to one in terms of Arran. We’ve got a young keeper [Ian McLoughlin] coming through but he’s only played two or three reserve matches, he’s a first-year pro.

“As much as we can get away with Arran in terms of the games, we still have training. We have a big squad, we need numbers for training. But we’re aware of the rules that we can’t sign anybody else until one of the other keepers gets injured.

“Fingers crossed the two lads we have will stay fit. I think Arran looked pretty solid last week when he came on. It’s a good opportunity for him and we have great confidence in him.”

Keane says he’s not considered asking Shane Supple to return to the club, having failed to persuade him to remain in football prior to the former Irish U21 international’s retirement: “I tried when he first spoke to me. Ironically Shane might have played the last few games, but we’ve got to respect Shane’s decision. I know he’s getting on with his life and is playing a bit of GAA and is on a course.”

The Blues boss is also not looking at bringing in a keeper who is currently out of contract, preferring instead to stick with Lee-Barrett and McLoughlin, but is assessing what loan options might be available should the former Hartlepool man pick up an injury: “We’re looking at getting one or two lined up if something happened to Arran.”

New signing Brian Murphy is due at the club next week for what Keane has called his “mini-pre-season” but won’t be able to play games until his move from Bohemians is formalised in January.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

haynes_is_a_ledgend added 11:02 - Dec 4 OH GOD not being funny hes are resevers goal keeper give that spurs keeper a run we cant have these problems not now anyway its a vital month we cant say to january to roy now you can expext us to win with him in goal. Well im a good sport so have fun do well blah blah blah
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yorksblue added 11:02 - Dec 4 Man Utd are letting Foster go out on loan in Jan. What are we waiting for? Get in there quick.
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Golaboots added 11:12 - Dec 4 I've no idea what the point of the first comment is supposed to be.
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positivity added 11:14 - Dec 4 foster's going on loan to cement his world cup place, he'll need to play in the premiership to do that. in any case, we'll have murphy available by then
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corshamblue added 11:35 - Dec 4 Good Luck Alan Lee-Bohrat ; one man's misfortune can be another mans grace, or something like that. Seems Keeno has faith in Alan, guess we should do the same and encourage with the best support we can offer. COYB
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footyblue added 12:18 - Dec 4 not being funny here but any keeper not at a club will be out of touch and a bit rusty, so lets just get brhind the lads we have the defence has been a lot better so makes it easier for the keeper :-) COYB
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MickeyMills added 12:22 - Dec 4 Damien Delaney has backed Arran as being a good keeper. He has stated that he performs very well in training and is looking strong. Give the guy a chance. This may be his lucky break.
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Paulc added 12:39 - Dec 4 haynes_is_a_ledgend - WTF are you trying to say? 11.02 is a bit early to be hitting the bottle isn't it? How often have managers stumbled across great players/formations when forced to make changes due to injuries? This could be the start of something .......believe........COYB
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haynes_is_a_ledgend added 12:39 - Dec 4 wisebluey and blue_em_away i have disletcia so have fun taken the mick hahahahaha and us get foster be half we couldnt even keep alexander we need him back
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haynes_is_a_ledgend added 12:43 - Dec 4 paulc out off every thing people have said i think your the only one that means anything you probley are right lol i see for myself if it happens
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NW10_Tractor added 13:29 - Dec 4 Every town fan that is making the LONG trip down the M4 should back Arran. I've got every confidence in him doing well and hopefully. The reports from last sundays (left by supporters on here) sounded confident which in turn makes me feel confident too. Plus he plays for us so i know he'll do well. See you all at Ashton Gate in fine voice.
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BurleyForever added 13:31 - Dec 4 ALB if he performs well could be in for the rest of season. I say good luck to him could be the start of something big for the lad. does anybody now what Alexander is doing now last I heard his was at Rangers
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Stu_Magoo added 16:11 - Dec 4 Does anybody else find it slighly ironic that the dyslexic man is unable to spell it?!?!?! Im probably going to hell for that......
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Franzgumm added 17:13 - Dec 4 We have back Arran. It's not ideal, but it's make do and mend. If Murphy comes in next week to start his "pre-season", he'll get plenty of practice and will be able to hit the ground running in January. I suspect he'll do well, establish himself and we'll sell Wright in the summer, if we get a decent offer.
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Fatcatevans added 19:46 - Dec 4 Hey Haynes is a ledgend - do you know what DNA stands for? - National Dyslexic Association.
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ChambersM added 20:15 - Dec 4 who commented saying Arran-Lee Borat? Haha brilliant
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supercooper added 20:54 - Dec 4 "Escape to Victory" springs to mind.
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buryblue77 added 22:06 - Dec 4 Haynes is legend, well said. Yeah, took me ages to translate that into English. Back the lad, for one we have no other option so there's no point in knocking him before he's played, that wont help now will it? Another is I think you will find that the lad on loan from Spurs is here soley to play in the youth team as without him we have no (or not enough) youth keepers which would make progression in the youth cup a slight problem! Come on Arran, you can do it, don't listen to all the negitivety on here. COYB!!!

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