NUMBER one Richard Wright's place in goal against Swansea City on Saturday is under threat following the capture of 22-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international keeper Asmir Begovic.

Elvin King

NUMBER one Richard Wright's place in goal against Swansea City on Saturday is under threat following the capture of 22-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international keeper Asmir Begovic.

The 22-year-old has arrived at Portman Road from Portsmouth on a three-month loan deal with Blues manager Roy Keane indicating that the 6ft 5in shot stopper has come to play games.

Wright has been at fault recently as Town have let in 15 goals in their last six matches.

The two-cap England international was voted player of the year last season after overcoming a slow start to turn in some exceptional performances.

But Begovic has turned down the possible chance of playing for Pompey in the Premier League against Tottenham at the weekend to join Town.

David James missed England's 3-0 win over Belarus last night with a knee injury and must be a doubt to face Spurs.

Begovic has made one Premier League start this season and two in the Carling Cup as well as replacing James when the experienced keeper was injured against Arsenal on August 22.

“People have spoken highly of Asmir and when I spoke to the lad he was very positive about coming here and playing games,” said Keane today.

“And that's what you want to hear from players. I'm delighted he's with us.”

Keane has always said that he wants three keepers, and he has had Arran Lee-Barrett on the bench since Shane Supple retired from the game in August.

Lee-Barrett's short-term contract ends in January when Bohemians keeper Brian Murphy is set to be available to play if his reported move to Ipswich when the Irish League season ends in November proves correct.

“When Shane retired it left us a bit light,” added Keane. “We brought in Arran but I have always liked three keepers.

“It creates a bit more competition among the players and Asmir has come in to push the other two and try and force his way into the first team.”

Begovic played for Canada where he was brought up at Under-20 level and was a team-mate of Blues utility player Jaime Peters.

Canada wanted to play him at full level but he opted for his birthplace Bosnia, and came on in the 92nd minute on Saturday to replace Kenan Hasagic.

Begovic was not involved in last night's defeat against Spain, but Bosnia have qualified for the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

He joined the Pompey academy in 2003 and has spent loan periods at La Louviere (Belgium), Macclesfield, Bournemouth and Yeovil.

Town defender Gareth McAuley and striker Tamas Priskin both added to their international appearances last night. McAuley won his 20th Northern Ireland cap in the 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic in their final World Cup qualifier. Priskin picked up his 22nd cap as Hungary won 1-0 in Denmark.