IPSWICH Town are today set to unveil Stephen Bywater as their replacement for Neil Alexander.The Evening Star understands that the Derby County keeper will arrive initially on loan with a view to a permanent move.

Derek Davis

EXCLUSIVE

By Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town are today set to unveil Stephen Bywater as their replacement for Neil Alexander.

I understand that the Derby County keeper will arrive initially on loan with a view to a permanent move.

Bywater's deputy Lewis Price was one of a clutch of keepers linked with Town following Alexander's departure but it is the 26-year-old, Manchester -born keeper that is leaving Pride Park.

Ipswich had initially swooped to sign Aston Villa's Thomas Sorensen but complications in that deal meant they swiftly switched to capture the former West Ham number one.

Carlo Nash and Martin Fulop are also keepers linked with the Blues but Bywater was always next highest on manager Jim Magilton's wish list of Premier League keepers he coveted.

Bywater incurred the wrath of Blues fans after clashing with Alex Bruce last season during Town's victory at Portman Road with both players being sent off but will soon be forgiven.

He also upset Norwich City fans a couple of weeks earlier after clashing with Darren Huckerby and the Canaries will never forgive him now.

Bywater started his career at Rochdale but was signed as a 17-year by Harry Redknapp and he spent eight years at Upton Park.

He enjoyed loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers, Hulls City, Wolves, Cardiff City and Coventry City before a £225,000 move to Derby who he helped win promotion last season.

The former England Under-21 international is expected to make his Town debut at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk