LEWIS Price today threw down a challenge to his Ipswich Town team mate Shane Supple.“We are in a fight to become the club's number one,” said Price, who is currently out of the side.

By Elvin King

LEWIS Price today threw down a challenge to his Ipswich Town team mate Shane Supple.

“We are in a fight to become the club's number one,” said Price, who is currently out of the side.

Before sitting on the substitutes' bench in today's Championship game at Crystal Palace, Welsh international Price confirmed his desire to take over the number one jersey vacated by Kelvin Davis at the end of last season.

Town have two of the most promising young goalkeepers in the country on their books with 18-year-old Irish youth international Supple keeping Price out of the side since Christmas.

But Price is prepared to fight for his place back, and be allocated the number one jersey that manager Joe Royle purposely kept unused this campaign.

Frustrated at not playing, Price knows that to retain his position in the senior Welsh side he must regain his place in the Ipswich side after starting the campaign between the posts.

He has ruled out looking for another club to achieve this aim - for the time being at least.

“Gaining the Ipswich number one jersey must be my aim,” said Price. “And this is what I will be working hard to do.

“I have no thoughts about looking for another club at this stage.”

Despite his current frustrations, Price still has much to look forward to.

He went on: “Keepers mature later than outfield players and hopefully I have another 15 years left in the game. So I am looking ahead with optimism.

“The coaching I have received - and am still receiving - at Ipswich is top drawer and I have no problems with Shane.

“He is a great keeper and a great lad, and I am happy to play my part in getting him prepared for matches.

“And with goalkeeping coach Andy Rhodes training is always interesting and enjoyable.

“But every professional wants to play, and I am no different. It is important for me to get back into the side.”

Price is set to be in action when Ipswich play Chelsea at Portman Road on Monday in a Premier Reserve League fixture.

READ about Lewis Price's biggest mistake of the season in a full interview in tonight's Green'Un.

FORMER Ipswich Town utility player Georges Santos is set to sign for Hull City on Monday for the rest of the season. The Frenchman, who will join on loan from QPR, could well face Ipswich Town at Portman Road next Saturday.