Former Heybridge Swifts goalkeeper James Pullen is in line to make his first-team debut for Ipswich Town tonight.
Manager Joe Royle has told the 20-year-old that he will come on for the second half of Town's Worthington Cup tie against Premiership side Middlesbrough at Portman Road.
Pullen joined the Ipswich Academy three years ago and has been ever-present on the bench this season, number two to Andy Marshall.
The young keeper has worked his way up the pecking order after Matteo Sereni, Town's first-choice shotstopper last season, was loaned to Italian side Brescia.
The other keeper on the books at Portman Road, Keith Branagan, has just announced his retirement from the game after struggling to recover from a shoulder operation.
News of Pullen's first-team appearance has reached his old Ryman League side Heybridge and chairman Mick Springett was delighted with the news.
He said: "It really is excellent news for the club. James and his dad keep in regular contact with us and we keenly followed his spell at Blackpool last season."
Published Wednesday November 6, 2002
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