Keeper Westwood is looking out for number one

Two saves, one good and the other outstanding.

A clean sheet. And words of praise from his manager. Keiren Westwood’s leap from understudy to lead role could hardly have gone much better in Belgrade on Wednesday night.

“Yeah, I did well and it’s good to keep a clean sheet but obviously it’s the whole team who defends from the front,” he reflected.

“We kept our shape throughout and there was plenty of talking among the lads at the back. We deserved the 0-0.” Thesignificance of the occasion was not lost on the 27-year-old whose 11th cap must almost have felt like a debut in light of the news of Shay Given’s retirement.

“I’ve been in the squad four years now and I have been waiting for this moment. Shay is a good friend and a great goalkeeper and it’s a shame as I would like to see him play one more game and get the adulation he deserves.

“He has done 16 years of hard, hard work and deserves every bit of praise he gets. He is one of my heroes and idols and I cannot speak any more highly of him. I haven’t spoken to him yet as I wanted to get the game out of the way, but I will speak to him over the weekend.”

Westwood’s feet have barely had time to touch down before he finds himself swapping the Red Star Stadium for the Emirates, as Sunderland open their Premier League season away to Arsenal tomorrow. With Martin O’Neill usually not showing his selection hand until an hour before kick-off, Westwood doesn’t know yet whether he’s in or out. “I think I had a good pre-season but it’s up to the gaffer now. “Hopefully, I’ll get the nod.”

But, whatever happens this weekend, he knows he’s facing into what will be a hard-fought battle for possession of the shirt with the club’s Belgian international keeper Simon Mignolet.

And, with his hands now firmly in the Irish gloves, Westwood understands the importance of being number one for his club if he hopes to stay number one for his county

“Of course, I need to play and if I don’t play it’s something I will have to assess,” he says.

“My main aim is to get into Sunderland’s team. and take it from there.”