Supple in Town return

Shane Supple.

GOALKEEPER Shane Supple could have played the last game of his loan spell with Athletic.

The 21-year-old has returned to Ipswich Town after damaging a cartilage in his knee.

Ipswich want to monitor the injury and Athletic are also waiting for a medical report on the extent of the problem. His loan deal at Boundary Park was until the end of the season.

It is understood the damage is minimal and won’t require surgery. According to manager Joe Royle, the injury will heal itself in time.

Athletic’s injury pile-up — which left them with only 15 senior players at Carlisle when trainee Ryan Brooke was on the bench — is gradually clearing.

Strikers Deane Smalley and Matty Wolfenden returned against Crewe yesterday as did Mark Crossley, who provided goalkeeping cover on the bench.

Kelvin Lomax and Fabio Ferreira are also fit again, though neither was able to make yesterday’s 16-strong match-day squad.

There is also every chance Ian Westlake will be back in the side at Brighton on Saturday.

Westlake has been forced into a 10-day lay-off after being diagnosed with concussion. He took a blow to the head in the home game against Peterborough.

Royle was impressed with Kieran Lee, who made only his third appearance of the season.

progress

The Athletic chief says the former Manchester United midfielder will keep his place in the team at the Withdean Stadium on Saturday.

He believes the results over Easter have shown that progress has been made at the club.

Royle said: “There has been a lot to be pleased with and the shoots of recovery were well and truly there against Crewe.

“We played some good football, scored a good goal and after half time had chances to go two, three or four up.

“Therein lies our problem — we are deficient in both boxes.

“We cannot kill off teams when we are on top, while at the opposite end we cannot keep clean sheets.

Royle added that there will be no easing up in the final three games of the season, even though Athletic’s play-off hopes have disappeared.

He said: “I have certainly not got my Majorca head on and I am desperate for three points.”