Mark Kennedy has backed Jack Bycroft to be a big player this season despite Swindon Town’s search for a new goalkeeper this summer continuing.

Bycroft has been Swindon’s ‘keeper since arriving from Southampton in January and soon helped Town to their first clean sheet in 106 days against Bradford City that month, eventually keeping three during the second half of last season.

Swindon have made no secret of their desire to bring in another goalkeeper this summer to provide further competition to the 22-year-old and some fans have felt that the club should even be looking for a replacement.

Marcus Bignot previously said: “[Are you looking for someone to challenge Bycroft?] That will be the plan. Although they will be a really good goalkeeper to challenge Jack.

“It is like the outfielders, we want to get a squad where we have two for each position and if we can get to that then we will be in a really good position.”

However, Kennedy was sure to back his number one ahead of the opening game of the season, saying that his position was under no threat.

He said: “He is definitely a number one, actually he is more than a number one, I think that he is a real asset value to the club.

“Jack is highly regarded by myself and the coaching staff and I think that he is highly regarded by a lot of other managers in the football pyramid.

“He is definitely a player that the club have got who is a real asset value for the club.”

Despite this, Swindon are continuing to search for another goalkeeper to support the boyhood Town fan and academy graduate Redman Evans as the current goalkeeping options.

Kennedy said that he was not sure whether Swindon would be able to get a new ‘keeper in before the Chesterfield match to kick off the season, but one remained on the shopping list.

He said: “We have been really aggressive and proactive about what we are trying to bring in and we would still like a striker and a goalkeeper.

“What you want to do, what you can do, and what you can execute are completely different things, and I won’t bore you with the whys.

“We have basically done all that we can and sometimes you are reliant on other people. I wish it was today but I don't think we are going to have any news today.”