By Chris O'Brien
June 11 2004

Third-choice goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett will be loaned out next season as Lennie Lawrence looks to find the 22-year-old some valuable first-team experience. The Englishman made only one senior appearance last season, which was the FAW Premier Cup quarter-final win over rivals Newport County.

Cardiff City will look to loan out young third-choice 'keeper Arran Lee-Barrett next season. The 22-year-old Englishman is tipped for a bright future and evidence of Lennie Lawrence's willingness to breed through the shot stopper is evident after the former Norwich man signed a new contract at Ninian Park earlier in the year.

Ipswich-born Lee-Barrett has understandably struggled to gain any first-team recognition with Martyn Margetson and Neil Alexander ahead of him in the pecking order. Margetson is expected to be first-choice 'keeper again next term, with Alexander looking certain to stay on and fight for his place, meaning Lee-Barrett would struggle to gain first-team recognition.

As a result, Bluebirds boss Lawrence will look for Lee-Barrett to leave Cardiff for a loan period next year, ideally for the whole season. City are expected to offer the services of the 'keeper to a host of fourth flight clubs. The news follows the Bluebirds competing the signing of another young 'keeper, 16-year-old Scott Allison from cash-strapped York City.

"There are plenty of clubs who would love to have Arran as their number two, but I want him to go out on loan to play first-team football," said the City boss.

"He has done well, he is making progress. But he now needs to play in games to get that all important experience under his belt."