SHANE Supple is to hold his place in the Ipswich Town team for their crucial Championship match at relegation-threatened Leeds United on Saturday.The Dublin-born goalkeeper has played in the last two games and made one exceptional save in Sunday's 1-1 Championship draw at Norwich City on Sunday.

By Elvin King

SHANE Supple is to hold his place in the Ipswich Town team for their crucial Championship match at relegation-threatened Leeds United on Saturday.

The Dublin-born goalkeeper has played in the last two games and made one exceptional save in Sunday's 1-1 Championship draw at Norwich City on Sunday.

Lewis Price, who has held sway for the majority of the season, suffered a bruised foot at Sheffield Wednesday on Easter Monday.

He was recovered enough to sit on the bench at Carrow Road - and will do the same at Elland Road with Blues manager Jim Magilton saying: “Lewis is still sore and will not train until tomorrow. He will be OK to be on the bench at Leeds.”

Supple, given the number one berth in the Town squad by Magilton last summer, has started just ten matches this season with Welsh international Price playing consistently well between the posts.

“I'm hoping to keep the jersey for the rest of the season,” said Supple. “The Leeds game is a massive game.”

Supple admitted his frustrations adding: “Getting back in the side was a long time coming.

“Of course it has been a bit disappointing not to play but I'm not angry or resentful.

“Lewis (Price) has done fantastically well and I'm genuinely pleased for him.

“We're good friends, despite the fact we're both after the same place in the team, and we both want to see each other do well.

“I am a very patient person, which has made my situation easier to deal with.

“If anything, I feel grateful to have played as many games as I have.

“To have got 30 or so matches under my belt by the age of 19 was more than I expected, when I first came over from Ireland.

“I had a great season last year and was number one for most of it, so it's just a question of taking the rough with the smooth.

“I'm still young so it's important I keep my head up and stay professional.

“What has happened this year will make me a stronger and more mentally-tough person.”

Reflecting on his last two games against Derby and Norwich, Supple said: “Both had electric atmospheres.

“The home Derby match was one of the best atmospheres I've ever played in.

“The pace took a few minutes to adjust to but, overall, I didn't feel any extra nerves. I am the kind of person who doesn't get affected, and after a while it felt like I'd never been away.”