Neil Etheridge: I can be No.1 at Walsall

New signing Neil Etheridge insists he is ready to be Walsall's No.1 goalkeeper, despite a lack of first team experience.

The talented 25-year-old became the Saddlers' second signing of the close season when he put pen to paper on a two-year deal earlier this month.

The Philippines international has won 44 caps for his country but has played only 20 competitive games at club level following loan spells at Bristol Rovers, Charlton and Crewe.

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Now the promising shot-stopper has been charged with replacing last season's player of the year Richard O'Donnell following his move to Wigan.

"I'm ready, I'm absolutely ready to be first choice," he said.

"I've got experience at international level but there is no doubt it is different to playing regularly for your club.

"It's a long season, with 46 games in the league alone, so I know I have to work hard and be very consistent.

"But this is definitely the time for me to crack on and I need to get as many league games as possible under my belt.

"I want to move forward and progress as a goalkeeper.

"But I also want to help the team move forward – that has to be the main aim. "I'll give everything though and I know when that first game comes around against Oldham I will be ready."

Despite a long list of candidates to replace O'Donnell, Etheridge was snapped up by the Saddlers after impressing boss Dean Smith and goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler.

And the glovesman revealed he choose a move to the Banks's Stadium despite having offers from teams in the Championship.

"I had offers in the Championship and that was flattering because it's always nice when teams come in for you," he said.

"But I had to be realistic with myself, I had to ask myself the question 'would I be playing week in, week out?'

"Chances are, with the financial budget clubs at that level have, they would have bought someone else in who would have come in to play ahead of me, someone with more experience.

"All managers in the Championship or Premier League like their goalkeepers to have experience so there is no doubt that Walsall is the right club for me.

"With the manager and goalkeeping coach here I can develop and also be part of a successful side."