Arran Lee-Barrett may have been in and out of the Ipswich first team this season — but overall the goalkeeper is satisfied with how the season has gone.

He said: “I’ve been happy with the games I’ve played and pleased with the record of points won while I’ve been playing. My only disappointment is that I haven’t had more games this season.

“I feel fortunate to be at the club but at the same time I also believe I deserve to be at the club. But I’m just the same as every other player — I want to be playing.”

With on-loan custodian Alex McCarthy recalled by Reading, 28-year-old Lee-Barrett marked his return to first team action with a clean sheet in last week’s 1-0 home defeat of struggling Barnsley.

While Town undoubtedly deserved to pocket all three points Lee-Barrett was still called upon to make a number of key saves to keep the Tykes out and send them crashing to a seventh successive away defeat.

Lee-Barrett said: “I had a bit to do. You can be nervous going back into the team and I was happy to get over that. I think I settled down quite well after a shot I saved almost crept over the line.

“It wasn’t a problem — it didn’t go in — and I was happy with my overall performance. I made two or three saves pretty close together and that’s the way goalkeeping is. You have to stay focused even if you are not seeing a lot of the ball and be ready to deal with it when you do.”

Lee-Barrett revealed he was only told 90 minutes before the kick-off that he was going to be playing against Barnsley.

He added: “I prepared as I always do, regardless of whether I am in the starting line-up or not. I have my own routine to prepare mentally and I was ready to play. The gaffer named the side at 1.30 and that’s when I knew for certain that I was playing.”

Photos: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

alztar added 11:16 - Apr 6 Never quite understood all the stick he receives, He is wobbly at times but I think he's a perfectly good number 2 But certainly do need a new keeper in the summer
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Farmers_Union added 11:21 - Apr 6 He needs to man-up and dominate his area if he wants to stay in the side... Not strong or commanding enough for me. Sorry ALB...
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rosseden added 11:29 - Apr 6 spot on Alztar, a great number two, not too pricey, solid enough, not going to go looking to leave the club if hes not playing..... just what we want...... i think in the new financial world thats about as good as we can hope for as an experienced number 2 keeper. If you have two really good keepers in the new world, not only will it tie up a lot of dollar, it can be hard to keep them happy, so you end up subsidising them out on loan, not good.

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woodpecker15 added 12:20 - Apr 6 Need a no1 keepre but will be alright for no2
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RetroBlue added 12:21 - Apr 6 ALB has done well , and what is more refreshing in to days professional football arena, is ALB is truly "loyal," and is shinning example of local boy makes good. However, whilst acknowledging this, with the Blue tinted glasses off for a moment and thinking with the brain and not the heart, ALB is simply not quite good enough for that #1 jersey - a fact the Town coaching staff realise. They see him day in , day out, and when you are looking to build a true promotion winning squad, ALB has his vital role to play. But sadly for him , it will be as our #2 - no disgrace in that ALB believe me, and you already have a place in Town fans hearts for your professionalism.

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woodpecker15 added 12:21 - Apr 6 Need a no1 keepre but will be alright for no2
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MichaelRockyLavelle added 13:01 - Apr 6 I think he is definitely better than McCarthy, and to be honest we aint going to get much better cheaply... so in my eyes Im actually happy with him being number 1.
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Kesgraveblue57 added 14:59 - Apr 6 Lee sorry but if your happy your performance I have to tell I am not you are just a back up keeper and lucky to be so
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alfromcol added 19:08 - Apr 6 His record, when he plays, is as good as any of the others we have had in goal this season
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footyblue added 19:21 - Apr 6 I think he has been fabulous considering the way he has been treated and the only keeper this season I have heard talking to the defence
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Lombokblue added 04:16 - Apr 7 well done to the bloke, we've had so many signings play below expectations but a couple, ALB and Drury, from the lower league who have improved
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Stu_Magoo added 06:05 - Apr 7 I know it's a nice romantic story - "Local lad done good" etc. But lets be honest, he's whack.
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townietilidie added 06:36 - Apr 7 Perfectly good enough .... Dont understand the negativity and stick he gets . And as for FARMERS_UNION to say he needs to man up and dominate his area and be more commanding ??? He is more vocal and commanding than anyone else we've had between the sticks this season
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itfc1981 added 08:50 - Apr 7 He cant go a game without spilling the ball
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johnnyTGrotten added 10:27 - Apr 7 @ITFC1981 How many goals has he conceeded after spilling the ball? 0! He does his job and keeps the ball out of the net.... forgive me if i'm wrong but is'nt that the most important thing you need from a keeper?
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fussysnake added 12:38 - Apr 7 i love his attitude, not the best of goalkeepers but a good squad player!
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