Express & Star

Liam Roberts fighting for No.1 jersey at Walsall

Goalkeeper Liam Roberts says new recruit Chris Dunn is pushing him all the way in the race to be Walsall's number one.

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The 23-year-old, who has come through the youth ranks at the Banks's Stadium, played a major role in keeper the Saddlers in League One last season.

Now though he faces competition from 30-year-old Dunn who signed in June and previously worked with manager Dean Keates while he was in charge at Wrexham.

But while Roberts is expected to start the season between the posts, he is taking nothing for granted.

"He (Dunn) is a really great guy and is really positive and always works hard," the glovesman said.

"That is exactly what you want.

"He has done well in pre-season and now it’s up to me to impress and be better than him.

"We are in the exact same situation, ultimately he wants to play against Plymouth on the opening day.

"It’s really good competition. We have got the goalkeepers union but the competitiveness is there.

"Both of us are working really hard. And we are only going to improve one another."

Walsall face their last friendly of the summer when they travel to take on Cheltenham tomorrow.

But while Roberts has enjoyed pre-season, he admits he is looking forward to the 2018/19 campaign getting underway.

"There are some positive vibes at the club he and we have been working hard in training to get little things tied down ready for the season," he said.

"I’m itching to get on with it now. You have pre-season and play games and you try and impress the gaffer and the coaching staff to get into the team for the first day.

"You do your pre-season training which is tough but enjoyable. But the aim is always to be winning a place in the team for the opening day."

Meanwhile, former Walsall midfielder Florent Cuvelier is on trial with Scunthorpe.

The Belgian has endured an injury blighted few years and was released by the Saddlers at the end of of last season.

But he is now hoping to win a deal at their League One rivals and featured for the Iron in a friendly against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.