Keeper Exclusive

Blackpool Vital understands that loan goalkeeper; Paul Rachubka will be offered a two year deal with an option for a further year in the coming weeks – whatever league The Seasiders are in.

The club are finalising their offer for the Huddersfield stopper – whose contract expires at Town on 30th June. Financial talks have been ongoing at the club this week and manager Simon Grayson is ready to offer ‘Rabs` a deal. Wages had yet to be approved by the club`s board of directors, but our reliable source close to Rachubka has stated that he is ready to sign a deal keeping him at the seaside until summer 2009.

Rachubka is said to be very happy at Bloomfield Road and will accept the offer from the club, even if ‘Pool remain in League One after the playoffs.

He started his ‘Pool career on the bench after signing his loan deal, which pushed then number one ‘Keeper, Rhys Evans, to train harder to improve his game – something which ‘Rabs’ was brought to the Seaside to do since the departure of Lee Jones.

Thrown in at the deep end in the derby against Oldham, Rachubka made an impressive start to his ‘Pool career – ending a run of 6 games without a win (including the two Norwich FA Cup ties) with a clean sheet resulting in a 1-0 win for Blackpool with the goal being scored by top-scorer Andy Morrell.

In his next match against Gillingham – a game which finished 2-2 – he superbly saved a penalty from former Blackpool loanee, Michael Flynn.

Since then, Larry hasn’t looked back and only changed his shot-stopper because of injury. Evans and Rachubka were sidelined, so Lewis Edge stepped in for the Tranmere game, only to get injured in the warm-up himself. Joe Hart was brought in from Manchester City for the Huddersfield game and kept a tight ship as an emergency loan.

‘Rabs’ is now back from injury and has regained his place in the starting line-up – ironically away at Oldham!

Being a former Manchester United trainee, and having gone through the playoffs last year with Huddersfield, Simon Grayson is obviously of the opinion that he offers a wealth of experience as a number one goalkeeper and can also push Rhys Evans to try and regain his number one jersey over the summer period.