2:57PM, Wed Aug 8, 2012

Sunderland Goalkeeper Kieren Westwood Wants Starting Place In Martin O'Neill's Team

Keiren Westwood: Wants to be first-choice

Sunderland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood is determined to be the first-choice goalkeeper in the upcoming 2012/13 Premier League campaign.

Sky Bet

£10 Free Bet
- Sky Bet are offering all new customers a £10 Free Bet Claim your free bet now

The 27-year-old faces stiff competition from fellow custodian Simon Mignolet to be No.1 between the posts for Martin O'Neill's side.

Westwood reported for pre-season training a week ahead of schedule despite his Euro 2012 commitment with the Republic of Ireland, and is keen to impress his manager to cement his place in the starting line-up.

"I came back in early because I felt I didn't need as long off," he told the Sunderland Echo.

"I came in maybe a week before the other internationals because I wanted to get started. Me and Simon both need minutes. We're both training well and training hard and we'll see what happens.

"Simon's a good keeper, a good lad and we get on great. But of course, I want that jersey off him.

"Regardless of who you are, you have to earn your spot in the team and pre-season is a clean slate for everybody."

Sunderland will begin their Premier League campaign with an away game against Arsenal on Saturday 18th August.

Related tags: Sport

Related tags: Football

Related tags: Sunderland

Barclays Premier League

Pos	Team	P	Pts
15	Aston Villa	38	41
16	Newcastle United	38	41
17	Sunderland	38	39
18	Wigan Athletic	38	36
19	Reading	38	28

Fixtures & Results

April

Barclays Premier League - Sun 7
FT	Chelsea	2-1	Sunderland
Barclays Premier League - Sun 14
FT	Newcastle	0-3	Sunderland
Barclays Premier League - Sat 20
FT	Sunderland	1-0	Everton
Barclays Premier League - Mon 29
FT	A Villa	6-1	Sunderland

May

Barclays Premier League - Mon 6
FT	Sunderland	1-1	Stoke City
Barclays Premier League - Sun 12
FT	Sunderland	1-1	Southamptn
Barclays Premier League - Sun 19
FT	Tottenham	1-0	Sunderland