Westwood not guaranteed starting spot at Wednesday

New Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood will face competition for the number one spot at the club after it was confirmed that current ’keeper Chris Kirkland has signed a new contract.

BREAKING: Owls re-sign Chris Kirkland on one-year contract #swfc #swfcpreseason pic.twitter.com/L37EByrb9T

— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) July 8, 2014

Republic of Ireland international Westwood signed a two-year deal at the Yorkshire club yesterday after a stint at Sunderland - where he made just 19 appearances in three seasons.

BREAKING: Owls sign international goalkeeper Keiren Westwood on two-year contract #swfc pic.twitter.com/YofNYLNwGF

— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) July 7, 2014

The 29-year-old has played 16 times for the Republic of Ireland Ireland since making his debut in 2009 but is currently behind Millwall's David Forde for the starting spot in Martin O'Neill's team.

Westwood will need to play more regularly at club level in 2014/15 if he is going to challenge Forde in the nation's Euro '16 qualifiers.

He struggled to break into the Sunderland first team last season and started just 10 times as manager Gus Poyet preferred Vito Mannone for much of the campaign.

The Manchester born keeper, who started his career in the North-West with Manchester City, has made over 260 appearances in his club career to date.