YOUNG Swindon Town stopper Will Henry hopes that keeping first-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux honest will drive them both to improve their game.
Vigouroux will head into the new League Two season as Town’s undisputed number one after an award and praise-laden 2016-17 campaign despite the team’s demise from the third tier.
With just a 19-year-old understudy battling for his place, Vigouroux’s place should be assured for the foreseeable future but the former Liverpool keeper will know Henry has not looked out of place when he has been called upon in the past.
Hopes are high for Henry, with the teenager having been called up to a training camp with the England U19s squad over the summer.
Although he is keen to further those international ambitions, Henry knows first and foremost, he cannot get ahead of himself at club level.
“Every season I set myself short-term, long-term and medium-term targets and game time is a massive one but I have got to be patient, remember my age and be realistic,” said Henry, who has made nine first-team appearances for Town since his debut in May 2016.
“I am not just there to sit, I am there to challenge for the number one spot but obviously we have got a great goalkeeper in Lawrence and I am still willing to learn from him, I am still enjoying that part of the game.
“It is just a patience game and making sure I am keeping myself sharp.
“You can never take your foot off the gas, I have always wanted to challenge Lawrence for that number one spot.
“That is my mentality, I have to be like that, and I think that helps Lawrence as well as he knows I am behind him keeping him on his toes. It’s a great competitive relationship we have.”
Henry’s involvement with England this summer formed part of a pre-tournament camp ahead of the European U19 Championships.
Although he missed out on a place in the final squad, Henry remains highly thought of by the England age group coaches.
“The summer camps I had were fantastic. I really enjoyed it and took a lot away from it,” said Henry.
“I have stayed in regular contact with Eric Steele and he is saying I am very much going to be on the radar for the U20s this season, so that is a massive positive for me to take into the season.
“It’s a massive achievement to be called up for your country and playing games is really where you can showcase your ability.
“That is a massive aspect that I am looking at this season but all I have had is positive feedback from England and I am looking forward to hopefully keep impressing them.”
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