Stafford captain Wayne Daniel believes that teenager Danny Allen is ready to stake his claim for the vacant goalkeepers jersey at Marston Road.

Rangers find themselves without a recognised No 1 after Tim Sandercombe signed for Blue Square Premier side Mansfield last week.

Understudy Allen has long been regarded as a bright prospect in backing up the first-choice and now the hometown player finally has no-one in front of him.

That could of course change but, with finances tight at the Blue Square North outfit, the 19-year-old will be wanting to take his chance to impress with both gloves.

Now he has received the full backing of his current skipper, who has seen many goalkeepers between the sticks in his seven seasons at the club.

If he can agree terms for an eighth campaign, he would be pleased to have Allen behind him at the back and feels that the youngster is ready.

Daniel said: “The goalkeeper is a big loss, but not entirely unexpected – he had trials lined up with clubs who could offer him more security than we can.

“Tim’s a top class goalkeeper and that is one of the main positions of any football team. But I see Danny in training week after week and I for one would be happy to play with him behind me.

“He may be young, but if he is good enough he is old enough. Age doesn’t come into it.”