Goalkeeper Glenn Morris came in as an injury replacement for Gillingham at the weekend and is pushing for more starts.
A clean sheet against Wrexham will have boosted Morris’ chances of reclaiming the no.1 shirt off Jake Turner, who was out injured after a bang to the back in the midweek game against Stockport County.
Turner has an impressive 11 clean sheets to his name this season – a one-in-three ratio – and head coach Stephen Clemence is glad to have two reliable goalkeepers to choose from.
Gillingham play away at Salford next on Saturday and Clemence will have to wait and see if Turner trains this week.
Clemence said Turner was “feeling better but nowhere near playing,” at the weekend and on Morris’ performance said: “Glenn did really well. I had no worries about him playing. I have seen enough on the training ground since I have been here to know he is a very good goalkeeper.
“I felt completely comfortable with him coming in between the sticks and he showed all the experience that he has got. He was calm and he made some good saves as well.
“I knew on the Friday that Jake wouldn’t be playing but I always knew I am lucky to have a good no.2 waiting in the wings.
“Let’s not forget that Jake has kept a lot of clean sheets this season as well, and done ever so well, but it’s nice for someone in my position, knowing I have a very experienced man in Glenn to come into the team when he was needed. He was fantastic and fair play to him.
“We know he is not as tall as Jake, but he still came and took responsibility and got his fist on a few and punched a few away.”
Morris was player-of-the-year last season but roles have been reversed this term with Turner no.1 ahead of the veteran stopper.
Prior to the weekend Morris had been limited to League Cup and EFL Trophy action this season. He played at 40 years and 66 days – not far short of the club record held by Andy Hessenthaler of 40 years and 115 days.
Clemence admits it’s been tough for the understudy, adding: “It is never easy when you’ve been sat on a bench all season and you’ve been used to playing, it will have been a hard season for him, and so I am really pleased he has done well.”
And on his selection decision ahead? “We will have to see,” he said.” I will have to see how Jake is but Glenn hasn’t done himself any harm.”
