Boss Jim Magilton says he wants Shane Supple to show him he deserves Town's number one jersey when the Blues reassemble for pre-season training on June 25th. Supple, who has a year left on his Town contract, was quoted earlier in the summer saying he wouldn't rule out a return to loan club Falkirk.

Magilton told the club site: "I want Shane back with us, fighting for a place in the team. He will be welcomed back with open arms. We think a lot of him here. He's a great lad and a very good goalkeeper.

"The boy's character or ability has never been in question. He got a bit despondent last season because he wasn't playing and we sent him up to Scotland to get games. It didn't work out initially, but eventually he got some first team football under his belt and he enjoyed it.

"I will sit down and tell him he has a future at this club. If he doesn't feel that way then that is a different ball game but the way I see it, he has an opportunity to play football here."

Supple played four times for Falkirk during his spell there, but obviously enjoyed the experience and told the Scottish media last month that he would consider a further loan or permanent switch to the Bairns: "I'm waiting to hear from Ipswich but I don't want to be sitting on the sidelines again and there are rumours the gaffer is after somebody. If there is a chance at Falkirk, I'd love to go back."

Falkirk manager John Hughes also recently admitted that Supple is in his thoughts for 2008/09 if Town are willing to allow the 21-year-old Irishman to leave: "I would have no qualms about bringing Shane back and hopefully we could do it on loan. I'll speak to Ipswich boss Jim Magilton, but I don't know what the position is until I speak to him."

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