Town have confirmed that keeper Richard Wright will be out of action for four months with the knee injury he sustained at Cardiff on Sunday, as first revealed by TWTD earlier this afternoon. Wright collided with Bluebirds striker Michael Chopra during the first half and was replaced by Arran Lee-Barrett.

Physio Matt Byard told the club site: "Richard has a partial tear to his cruciate ligament.

"We will manage his recovery conservatively and at this stage we are very hopeful that he will not require surgery.

"You can never be exact in a recovery time but with this type of injury, we expect Richard to be out for around four months."

Wright’s injury, coupled with loanee Asmir Begovic’s return to Portsmouth last week, leaves the Blues short in the goalkeeping department. Aside from 25-year-old Lee-Barrett, 18-year-old Irish stopper Ian McLoughlin, who signed an 18-month professional deal a year ago, and 17-year-old loanee from Tottenham Mirko Ranieri are the only keepers in the squad.

Town are likely to ask the Football League for special dispensation to take another keeper on loan, although clubs have not always been successful with these requests in the past.

New keeper Brian Murphy formally joins the Blues from Bohemians on a Bosman when the transfer window opens in January. The Irishman looks likely to have the chance to establish himself as the club's number keeper during Wright's extended spell on the sidelines.

Wright rejoined the Blues from West Ham in the summer of 2008 with his contract up next June.

Photo: Action Images

jakeitfcster added 16:01 - Dec 1 well thats put a dampener on Sundays result
0

roysboys added 16:03 - Dec 1 Wouldn't it make more sense to get special dispensation for Murphy to play for us now?
0

bedsitfc added 16:04 - Dec 1 gutted, but just gives arron a chance to prove himself. our back 4 has been solid recently so that should help. hope we keep the ball in the attacking third for a few months
0

byebyesheepshanks added 16:05 - Dec 1 Lewis Price?
0

ThatMuhrenCross added 16:07 - Dec 1 That's the end of Richard. Sad to say, but this is what will now happen: Town will apply for the right to take a keeper on loan, but it will be rejected. Arran Lee-Barrett will see us through the Christmas period, doing well enough to earn a contract extension - possibly two years. Brian Murphy will complete his move in January, establish himself as the number one keeper. Wright won't play again this season, and the option will be taken to release him in the summer as he is one of the higher earners. It may well be the end of his career.

0

muhrensleftfoot added 16:09 - Dec 1 Given the circumstances, you'd think the club might see if the rules can be bent to allow Murphy to join us earlier. Presumably he's just kicking his heels until Jan. Mind you that's probably a FIFA rule as he's coming from Ireland, so might be more difficult to change things with Blatter's lot
0

bedsitfc added 16:27 - Dec 1 thatmuhrencross - sorry to say i agree with you apart from it will be the end of his ipswich career he will find another club quite easily
0

moomoosereni added 16:49 - Dec 1 Good servant to the club. Shame to say it but I do agree with some of the above. Most likely the end of Wrights time here at the club when the summer comes round.
0

sereneblue added 16:49 - Dec 1 thatmurhencross -could you please tell me what the winning lotto numbers are for saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0

Blueknight85 added 16:52 - Dec 1 murphy is here training in a "mini pre season" might be an option to aloow him to play would be kool otherwise get alexander back for a few weeks :D or supple im not sure but as shane is not attached to any club etc could he not be signed and played str8 away im sure he wouldnt say no to a few weeks and a bit of extra pocket money for xmas lol dnt know what his gaelic football season is though

0

NW10_Tractor added 16:57 - Dec 1 Reading the blogs above, if it is true, I will be gutted for him!
0

irvingernon added 16:58 - Dec 1 Bad news, although I dont think RW has been at his best this season, which ultimately had an effect on the back four IMO. Sure Lee-Barratt will get a chance now, can't see the FA giving us any special treatment...
0

im_marcacus added 17:02 - Dec 1 Sheeeeeeeeet, that's a blow. Can we all sign a get well e-card for him?
0

ITFC1985 added 17:14 - Dec 1 Alexander is Rangers number 2 so they wont let him go, maybe they'll allow Murphy to play for us (but i doubt it) i think Arran could see us through until christmas, but why not look for a prem third choice keeper Jimmy Walker at Spurs, decent keeper
0

onlybluesandhorses added 17:17 - Dec 1 Although Plug is a legend and was expected to be one of our key players this season I do not think he has played in a winning side and it was only when Begovic joined that we started our present "unbeaten in 7" run conceding only 4 goals.
0

Fatboy added 17:19 - Dec 1 Scott Loach anyone?
0

pickles110564 added 17:28 - Dec 1 Thank you for your service to the club wrighty, good luck in the future away from PR.
0

firmfoundations added 17:40 - Dec 1 Very sad about Wrighty - confess to have always been a fan except when he gave away that penalty at Wembly then and almost exact mirror when playing for England against Malta! Todays Daily Mail has a small article suggesting that Portsmouth are after a goalkeeper from Sparta Bucharest. Perhaps if they get him we could reinstate Amir's loan???????
0

SuffolkMauler added 17:46 - Dec 1 End of wright's career, what rubbish!!
0

ITFCspud added 18:02 - Dec 1 Mauler it might not be the end of his career, i personally think he's ipswich career is begining to draw to an end. And i think supple should come back for atleast a few weeks, but in january im liking the sound of scott loach, he supports ipswich aswell :P but i think we should give Barrett a chance because he looked pretty good sunday.
0

DelaneysDonkey added 18:04 - Dec 1 I think Roy will try to get Begovic (or another) on a permanent deal in January with Murphy pushing him for number one spot. Wrighty to leave at end of season - sad.
0

Back_The_Boss added 18:14 - Dec 1 4 months!
0

YousBeTrollin added 18:14 - Dec 1 Looks like when everyone was moaning about Keane signing Goalkeepers, that we actually didn't sign enough, oh the irony. Hope RW does come back into the squad at some point, he's still a quality keeper, although if Asmir came back, I don't know who I'd give the number 1 to.
0

MarstonBlue added 18:29 - Dec 1 Watford are in a bit of financial difficulty. They need to find over £5m to continue operating until the end of the season. We might get the U21 international keeper Scott Loach at a decent fee if they need to raise funds. Just a thought
0

ITFCkezza added 18:33 - Dec 1 well thats a kick in the bollocks
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls