Boss Jim Magilton has confirmed that Kelvin Davis could come into his thoughts if Town's bid to sign another former Blue Richard Wright fails. Davis has been rumoured to be a possible Town target for some weeks.
Magilton said: "Kelvin is on our list of keepers. He is another who enjoyed the most successful spell of his career whilst at our football club.
"Kelvin has had a few years where things have not gone as well as he would have hoped, but I know him and I know that through games and confidence in an environment he knows and in a place where he feels secure his goalkeeping ability would flourish.â€Â
Southampton's new head coach Jan Poortvliet recently confirmed that Davis would be his first choice keeper in the new season, but the Saints' financial situation means they would be unlikely to turn down an offer for the former Sunderland man.
The move for Wright is still stalled with Magilton hoping a chat with West Ham boss Alan Curbishley will progress the switch: "We need to have a conversation for it to move on. It suits us and Richard Wright but at the moment it is not ticking all West Ham's boxes and we have to give them due time until they can get in a replacement if they are prepared to let him go.â€Â
Magilton, who earlier put a deadline of the end of this week on the Wright deal, was a TV pundit as Linfield lost to Dynamo Zagreb in a Champions League qualifier last night and spoke effusively about the Irish side's keeper Alan Mannus. The Northern Irish international is another keeper believed to be on Magilton's list of possible alternatives to Wright.
Meanwhile, Town's only current senior keeper Shane Supple has picked up the bug which kept Jon Walters out of Monday's game with Cliftonville. If the Irish stopper is still unwell this evening academy keeper Lewis Ward may be flown out to join the squad or an outfield player may be fielded between the sticks against Donegal Celtic.
Walters has now recovered and is likely to play, while Ben Thatcher will get the second run-out of his trial. The former Charlton man has impressed Magilton so far: "Ben has been outstanding in regards to his application and attitude to training. He jumped at the opportunity to come, which speaks volumes about the player.â€Â
Also training with the squad are 18-year-old Portadown defender Ross Redman and Neil Quinn, who plays for amateur side Newington. Town are giving the pair a taste of life with a professional club and the duo have impressed manager Magilton.
The Town manager has confirmed he hopes to have the Kevin Lisbie and Rudi Skácel deals done by the end of the week.