Walsall goalkeeper Jonny Brain has insisted he is at the Banks’s Stadium for the long haul as he admitted he expects to be the Saddlers’ first-choice.

The summer signing from Macclesfield believes he’s playing for keeps ahead of the new season.

Brain made his debut in Tuesday’s 4-0 friendly defeat to Wolves but has competition from fellow new-boy David Bevan.

However, the 27-year-old expects to win the race to start against Milton Keynes Dons on August 7.

He said: “I haven’t signed here to come and sit on the bench, I’m here to be the number one and I fully expect to be that.

“I wasn’t going to sign to be a number two goalkeeper, I’m not at that age when I can afford to sit on the bench.

“I’ve played more than 200 games and I’ve got good experience now, you are coming into your prime in the next six or seven years.”

But, despite being handed the No 1 jersey, Brain insists boss Chris Hutchings hasn’t dropped any clues to who will become his first choice.

He said: “The manager hasn’t needed to say anything. All I can do is train my best with Mick Kearns and the manager will pick who he wants to pick.”

Just a week after signing a one-year dea,l the goalkeeper revealed his desire to stay at the Banks’s Stadium beyond his current contract.

Brain has been impressed with the Saddlers’ set-up, after spending the last four years at League Two Macclesfield.

He said: “It’s a one year with a one year option and I would love to stay here longer. It’s a great set up with the training ground and the facilities.

“The boss is a great manager and Martin O’Connor is a good assistant, they are two coaches I would really like to play for.

“I had a good few seasons at Macclesfield and I had some interest in the summer, but I just felt the Walsall offer fitted the bill perfectly. It was a step up which was ideal and coming here playing every week is what I was here to do.

“I only live half an hour up the road in Stoke and it was an ideal move for me.

“Once I had interest from Walsall I was really keen to get the contract signed.”