Tyler ready to battle it out for Town’s number one jersey

The 38-year-old, who declared himself fit for Saturday’s League Two opener at Accrington Stanley, has some real competition on the hands in the shape of Elliot Justham.

It was Justham who finished between the posts last season with Tyler absent due to a knee injury and, bar a gaffe at Southend, the youngster largely impressed.

However, Tyler wants his starting role back, as he said: “I’m 100 per cent fit and available for the weekend.

“If you look at every position in the squad, no-one’s guaranteed to play. You’ve got to show the gaffer you want to be a winner, you want to keep your shirt and you’ve got to play well – if you don’t play well, you’re out of the team.

“Competition is great, it brings the best out of you even in training. We’re all gunning for one thing this year and that’s promotion, whoever plays. I’ll be behind Elliot and if I play, I know he’ll be behind me.”

It’s been a difficult last six months for Tyler as he missed the final 15 games of Town’s 2014-15 campaign with his knee problem suffered against Mansfield on February 17.

He didn’t fly out with the rest of the squad to the recent training camp in Portugal, preferring to get treatment, but feels he is ready to be called upon.

The former Peterborough keeper continued: “It’s been a frustrating four or five months, I’ve been training but I just haven’t been able to take a goal kick.

“It will take its time, getting my power back, volleying and back-passing, stuff like that. The general play is fine, it’s just taking a goal kick.

“I’m getting further and further each game, so it’s good, I’m happy at the moment where I am fitness wise.”