GOALKEEPER Ben Killip admits his time on the bench last season was ‘horrendous’ and is determined to keep his place in the team.

The 29-year-old made 15 appearances in all competitions last season, but only made eight appearances in League One - regularly being the back up for loanee Liam Roberts.

He started this season in between the sticks for the Reds but was replaced when Chelsea loanee Gabriel Slonina was brought into the fold.

However, after a series of errors by Slonina - who has now been recalled by the Premier League club - Killip earned his place back into the starting 11.

He already made 18 appearances this season, including 13 in the league - beating last season’s tally at the half way point.

He said: “I’ve mentioned many times before that this is the biggest club I’ve played for.

“To be able to play in League One and to be pushing for promotion, this is why I came here.

“It took me a while to get the opportunity but I’ve managed to get it and I just want to keep repaying the club and show what I can do to make it to 50 or 100 games.”

The goalkeeping position is one that the Reds are looking to strengthen in in the January transfer window - but Killip isn’t going to give his place up easily.

He said being on the bench is ‘horrendous’.

He added: “There’s no two ways around it.

“You’ve worked your whole life to play football matches, not to sit on the bench.

“The first year, even though I managed to get a lot of games in, was horrible watching every week.

“I had a fantastic relationship with Robbo (Liam Roberts) so I always wanted him to do well but you always want the opportunity to play week in week out yourself.

“I think that pain of being on the bench each week is obviously a massive driving factor to prove who you are and what you can do.

“It’s learning the lessons of why you’ve been on the bench and then putting in a performance back to back to back.”