Linfield manager David Jeffrey has admitted that he fears goalkeeper Alan Mannus could be the next Blues hero to leave Windsor Park, hot on the heels of Peter Thompson.

And speaking after last night’s 2-0 home defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg of the Champions League qualifier, Jeffrey confessed it would be “morally wrong” of him to stop Thompson from fulfilling his true potential at a higher level.

The Linfield Board will meet at 11am this morning to discuss two bids that are on the table for the Northern Ireland international from League One side Stockport County and Championship outfit Norwich City.

And there is even the possibility that another club – such as Kilmarnock who have already had two bids for the striker rejected by Linfield – will re-enter the race for his signature.

Thompson came on for the last 15 minutes of last night’s game when inspirational goalkeeper Mannus, despite pulling off stunning saves to foil Bosko Balaban, Igor Biscan and Dino Drpic, was beaten by strikes from Mario Mandzuki and then Drpic in the final minute.

Scouts at the match or watching on Sky Sports would have been impressed by Linfield’s number one but after the summer departures of Thomas Stewart, Mark Dickson, Tim Mouncey and Timmy Adamson on top of the imminent exit of Thompson and a transfer request under consideration from Conor Downey, any bid for Mannus would leave Jeffrey reaching for the Prozac.

“You think to yourself if Alan (Mannus) goes, then what is next?” he said. “How on earth would I keep Alan happy if a fair offer came in for him?

“We will not let players go on trials but if a goalkeeping coach or manager can’t make his mind up about Alan on that performance then there is something seriously wrong with the game.

“He wasn’t overworked, but it was a job which demanded discipline and concentration and he made three saves of note. If you can’t give an opinion after that evidence then I would be amazed.”

Blues fans, guessing this would be Thompson’s farewell appearance, gave their hero a standing ovation and Jeffrey knows how they feel.

“It’s how Peter’s departure leaves us at the moment which hurts all of us but morally, you

could not hold him back,” he added. “You could say we will keep him for the rest of the season and let him go free but you just couldn’t do it. He’s at an age now where he wants to go and he’s ready to go.

“There is a sadness there and there is the harsh reality hitting you in the face that we need to bring quality strikers to the club but it would be wrong to put a block on his progress and hopefully the club will say they are happy with an offer on the table.

“I want the club and Peter to say we have done ok out of it. It is difficult for me because I have to plan for life without Peter but it would be wrong to stop a player from becoming the best that he can be. We will always be grateful for his contribution to our three doubles and the clean sweep which was incredible.”

Jeffrey was also proud of his players after their battling performance against the Croatian champions, adding: “I got a great performance from my team, particularly Conor Downey. But I know that we are light up front.”