Rookie Mathew Ryan and veteran Paul Henderson are in a tight tussle for the goalkeeping job when the Central Coast Mariners battle for their second win of the A-League season against Melbourne Victory at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford on Friday night.
With Danny Vukovic no longer at the club and off-season recruit Jess Vanstrattan out for the season with a knee injury, Ryan made his A-League debut in between the sticks in the Mariners 1-1 draw with Sydney last week.
Henderson, who was drafted into the squad late on a short term deal, sat on the bench.
While Ryan was at fault for Sydney’s goal after fumbling a cross, Mariners coach Graham Arnold was happy with his debut.
Arnold is also well aware of Henderson’s ability having coached him at Northern Spirit in the National Soccer League in the late 1990s.
The Mariners coach has been monitoring both players closely at training this week.
"Overall, I thought Matty had a good debut against Sydney and Paul has a lot of experience, he’s a good professional," Arnold said.
"Both of them will fight it. I’m confident either can do a good job for us on Friday night."
Ryan is itching for another go on the big stage.
"Playing last week was amazing," he said.
"Overall I was stoked. I want to keep playing. Paul has come in and I can learn a lot from him but I’m not going to hand over my spot."
"I’m going to keep working hard to stay in the side."
Henderson, who was at Newcastle on a similar short-term deal before contacted by the Mariners following Vanstrattan’s injury last Friday, is enjoying working with Arnold again.
"It’s exciting for me," he said.
"There’s an unexpected opportunity at the Mariners, it’s up to me to take it. I need to take any chance I get."