Eastern promise for Walsall's Neil Etheridge

Walsall's Neil Etheridge has arrived in the Philippines as he looks to unearth a goalkeeping star of the future.

The Saddlers gloveman, who represents the Azkals at international level, has launched his own goalkeeping school in which he helps train aspiring keepers in Manilla.

It is the second year the 26-year-old has flown out to run the course which begins tomorrow. And after working every day with Saddlers goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler, Etheridge admits this year's course will be different to the one he ran 12 months ago.

"This year we'll go through some of the drills I've done this year at Walsall," Etheridge said.

"Cuts (Cutler) might have copyrighted a few so I'll have to steal them off him!

"But those are the kind of things we'll do. Goalkeeping is extremely complex.

"I'll work with the students for six days and there's a lot to get through – we do the kicking side, the crossing side, angles, long distance, the short stuff.

"I've started now to bring on coaches, who are at a good level, and I've also started to introduce coaches coming in to watch the sessions I do so they could potentially take them back to club level. It's progressing, and it'll take it's time, but it's so far, so good."

Elsewhere, Walsall have confirmed they will be play a pre-season friendly against Derby at the Banks's Stadium on July 23.

The Rams will be the third Championship side the Saddlers face in the close season with Jon Whitney's side taking on Norwich in a behind closed doors friendly on July 9 before hosting Birmingham on July 19.

Solihull Moors on July 16, Notts County on July 26 and Luton on July 30 are the other friendlies the club has so far confirmed.