Town boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that the Blues will be offering a new contract to goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett. The Ipswich-born keeper returned to the first team for the recent 2-0 home victory over Scunthorpe and has kept his place for the last two games.

Jewell said: “We will be offering Arran a contract. We’ve offered Brian a contract and Márton’s still got his, so we’ve obviously got three goalkeepers.

“I’m not unhappy to have them, but what I do know is that there are three goalkeepers there that want to be number one, which I want - I don’t want people being happy being in the reserves or out of the picture.

“Things can change over the summer, but we’ll see. Certainly I’m quite comfortable having the three of them on the books.”

Lee-Barrett rejoined Town, with whom he had been an academy schoolboy, in August 2009 after Shane Supple’s surprise retirement. The 27-year-old had been training at Playford Road after being released by Hartlepool earlier in the summer.

An initial short-term deal was extended by another 18 months the following January and the 6ft 2in tall former Cardiff, Coventry, Weymouth and Norwich glovesman has now made 17 starts and one sub appearance for the Blues.

Jewell says there have been no new developments regarding any of the other senior out of contract players who have been offered new deals.

Town have no new injury worries ahead of Tuesday’s home game against Middlesbrough with Lee Martin back from his two-match ban.

Photo: Action Images

Tillz9 added 14:31 - Apr 11 Is it just me that thinks ALB distribution is much better than Fulops then ? Have heard plenty criticise his kicking on here but I thought it was much better than Fulops !! Pleased he has been offered a new contract. Would have been a bit unfair if Murphy was and he wasn't IMO
0

devontractorboy added 14:41 - Apr 11 Bugs Thank you for the update SouperJim....Presumably you are some type of thick broth??? I think I'm as entitled to my opinion as you are to yours.
0

WeWereZombies added 14:49 - Apr 11 Andy Marshall was on the bench for Aston Villa yesterday, maybe they need Fulop.
0

bluelady added 14:58 - Apr 11 tillz9, i know it was suposed to be suspect in previous games, but from what i saw saturday his kicking was pretty spot on even under pressure...... maybe made one mistake if that.
0

TractorMan added 14:59 - Apr 11 Fulop is still the best keeper we have and Jewell had said he wasn't dropped for his form, but to see ALB in a competitive situation with regards to a contract. Fulop will be our No.1 next season with Cropper probably loaned out with a view to him being our No.2 the following season.
0

SouperJim added 15:03 - Apr 11 devon, not suggesting you're not entitled to your opinion, I simply disagree. ALB isn't young (even for a keeper), has played most of his football for weymouth and hartlepool and both clubs released him. He's never held down a pro contract anywhere for more than five minutes and those who see beyond the decent stops he makes on his line know why. To suggest he is the best keeper at the club is frankly laughable. A cheap backup keeper and an honest pro no doubt, I have no problem with him being at the club, but a number 1 he is not.

0

Lightningboy added 15:40 - Apr 11 Well desreved Arran..did a great job when he came in last season,same again now. Personally,wouldn't mind offloading Fulop in the summer & bringing in a new GK.
0

Ipswich24 added 16:54 - Apr 11 Well done Arran a team mate of mine from our Whitton Sports centre days
0

Garv added 18:29 - Apr 11 Lee barret has never let us down, fulop and murphy have.
0

jas0999 added 18:47 - Apr 11 Deserved. Excellent shot stopper, who seems to be able to organise his defence. To be number one consistently, he will need to work on his kicking (although all three keepers seem poor at this) and his aerial ability.
0

Fatcatevans added 19:13 - Apr 11 I'm afraid if we want to be a top 6 side next season we need a better keeper than the 3 we have. ALB and Murphy will be found out over a period of time. Fulops the best of an average bunch
0

Warkys_Tash added 19:42 - Apr 11 Fulop started off really well and has a big presence, but doesn't command well enough on crosses and sometimes lets in shots that he should be saving, then the next minute he pulls off a blinding save - too inconsistent. Murphy - Can't kick and too small framed to provide and kind of presence in goal. Quite agile though, but not a number one in imo. ALB - been very reliable, a local lad so he has the desire, great shot stopping on saturday and doesn't mind collecting crosses. Provides a decent presence in goal. Needs to work on his ball distribution. Just because he wasn't a big name, I see no reason why he can't be a number one.

0

village_blue added 20:50 - Apr 11 Well done ALB for Saturdays performance.You fully deserve to be offered a new contract.Perhaps if both ALB and Murph sign thier contracts we can re-coup some money the previous clown of a manager wasted on Flapper Fulop last summer. In my opinion ALB and Murph are better orgainsers than the 6' 7" NUMBER 3 keeper we aquired from Sunderland.How Niall Quinn must miss seeing Rk in charge at PR.

0

Mungo added 21:25 - Apr 11 I am surprised that PJ wants to keep both ALB and BM. Either one would be a capable back up but I'm not sure either is the long term first choice. I expect Fulop to be sold in the summer but I was expecting Jewell to try to sign someone else to be the first choice? Our reserve league doesn't really accomodate 2 backups and a youth team goalkeeper!
0

Blue_Square added 22:30 - Apr 11 Fulop can go.... Another of Keanes Dross overpriced rubbish. Much rather have ALB in the team...!
0

DiamondGezzer added 07:18 - Apr 12 What about, during the half time in the derby, all three could fight to the death for the number one slot or, we could all be thankful we've got three decent keepers under contract, which , should the case arrive, we could sell and put the money toward someone better. Personally, I think we are blessed with three reasonable alternatives. IMHO
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls