Ripley hunt

CONNOR RIPLEY: Outstanding last season

COULD Connor Ripley be coming back to Athletic?

John Sheridan admits he would "jump" on an opportunity of bringing back the outstanding Middlesbrough shot-stopper, given the chance.

Athletic are understood to have submitted to Boro an offer for Ripley (24) at the end of last season and since then, there has been some contact between the clubs over a player whose deal at the Riverside Stadium still has a season to run.

Ripley went with the first team to a week-long training camp in Portugal but, along with several other senior players, did not feature in Middlesbrough's friendly at Mansfield last night.

New Boro boss Garry Monk is reportedly in the market for a new number one, with West Ham's Darren Randolph the latest name linked.

That could freeze out Ripley, who last appeared for his home-town club in a senior game in January, 2012.

"If Connor is not playing at Middlesbrough then I am sure there will be a chance," said Sheridan.

PLAYING

"I am sure he will love to come back if he is not going to be playing there.

"But I don't really know. We have to look at one or two things. But if there was a possibility of Connor coming back then I would jump on it."

Ripley kept 18 clean sheets for Athletic last season, famously saving two penalties in one game from Millwall's Lee Gregory and proving himself the best goalkeeper in Sky Bet League One across the campaign.

Last week, Sheridan turned down the chance to take Leeds goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell on loan following a trial and at Curzon Ashton on Tuesday, fielded rookie Niklas Bolten between the posts.

As well as two new goalkeepers, Athletic's manager also has on his shopping list a new holding player to play in a 'three' in midfield.

"I have to make sure it is the right goalkeeper and financially as well it has to be right," Sheridan said. "We have to work around things.

"We need a holding midfield player and I could see that again at Curzon - a bit of a general who can stand in the middle of the pitch, make it look simple and read the game to keep things ticking over.

"It's also about what formation I play. I am not comfortable playing with just two in the middle of the pitch as I don't think I have the players in my squad to do that. It doesn't worry me, as I have very rarely played with two in midfield since I've been here.

"I am not panicking. The chairman has been great so far and I don't think we are too far away.

"I have got Dan Gardner and Courtney Duffus to come in and the squad is looking quite strong at the moment."