Keeper set for return

Last updated : 13 January 2006 By Tony Scholes

Grant came in at a time when we had no goalkeeper available after Brian Jensen had been sent off in the 3-2 win at Luton. The England Under-21 international stepped straight into the team and kept a clean sheet against Leicester but has since been on the bench with Jensen back in the side.

His departure will mean the Clarets will have no goalkeeping cover whatsoever with both Danny Coyne and Mark Crossley injured and manager Steve Cotterill has admitted that it could have to remain like that.

“I haven’t spoken to Lee yet, but I am pre-empting that the likelihood is he will go back to Derby,” Steve Cotterill said. “It’s not because I want him to, but because he earns quite a good wage and we may not be able to afford that. And if he goes back, he may go on loan somewhere else where he will play all the time.

“He’s been fantastic for us, a great lad and he has supported Brian as well as anyone coming in could have. He’s fitted in perfectly with the lads and we have really enjoyed having him here. If it wasn’t for the money or the fact that he wants to play every week, we would keep him here.”

When asked if there would be a replacement coming in Steve added jokingly , “We might have to ride without one for a while. I know it puts us in that situation again, but I think John Spicer will be a lot better next time.

“We may even have a better goalkeeper than Spice in either Duff or Branch, if they need to be called up. We need to see what the transfer window brings and that is out of my hands really.”