JACKSON Smith has a chance to prove himself as Barnsley’s number one during pre-season but head coach Darrell Clarke admits they could still bring in another goalkeeper this summer.
The 22-year-old signed last week after leaving Walsall, on a four-year deal, and is seen as the club’s future number one.
But they will assess his performances over pre-season, with the chance of bringing in another goalkeeper – most likely on loan – if it is deemed necessary. Clarke told the Chronicle: “Jackson will get the opportunity to impress.
“We’ve brought him in as a long-term vision. I am not ruling out bringing another goalkeeper in, I will be honest.
“We will see how things develop over the next few weeks.
“We have irons in the fire if we need to do that but Jackson has the opportunity to nail down the first team spot in the first few weeks of pre-season.”
Smith played 32 games for League Two Walsall, having been in the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy.
The goalkeeper told the Chronicle: “Barnsley is a massive club and with that comes a massive opportunity.
“I am a big believer in hard work paying back. I will make sure I put the work in to add something to the team and hopefully we can all progress to the place we want to be.
“If I work hard and get a little bit of luck, I believe I am more than capable of doing my best every week for Barnsley.
“The gaffer has got a plan and really put his faith in me. Hopefully I can repay him.”
Smith joined last week and has been training alongside Ben Killip, Kieren Flavell and Rogan Ravenhill.
“It’s been brilliant. A lot of new faces, people and names. But I have really enjoyed it. At the minute I am commuting up but I am sure I will find somewhere to live.
“We have four really competitive goalkeepers, from what I have trained with so far. Ben has really taken me under his wing and looked after me.”
Smith played the first hour of the friendly at Alfreton on Saturday.
He said: “It was good, it was the first time playing with that squad in front of me. It’s really good but it’s a learning curve. I am learning more every day and starting to build relationships.
“The main thing about the first game is getting through unscarred.
“There were a few poor bits of decision-making in there which is always going to happen after eight weeks.”
