Scott seeks new keepers

Jul 3 2009 By Jacob Murtagh

BRENTFORD FC boss Andy Scott is running the rule over two keepers in an effort to replace Ben Hamer.

Scott has enquired about Everton stopper John Ruddy, touted as a future England keeper when the Toffees snapped him up from Cambridge United four years ago.

And he has been casting his eye in training over Craig Holloway, a former Arsenal junior who has also kept goal for Farnborough, Southend and Ebbsfleet.

The 24-year-old spent last season with Blue Square South side Braintree Town.

With Simon Brown believed to be stalling on a new contract, Hamer back at Reading and Seb Brown released, Scott currently has no first team keepers.

He said: “I have talked to Everton about John Ruddy, who I know from seeing him play at Cambridge, and he is one I may well follow up, although he is one of several keepers I'm looking at.

“Craig Holloway is a good possibility too, otherwise he wouldn't be training with us, and I will take another look at him in Spain when we fly out for a five-day training camp tomorrow.

“He knows Charlie MacDonald, who played an instrumental part in him coming. He won't want to come here as a number two, he will want to challenge for a first team spot.

“But we won't hurry into anything, we have to make sure we have the right keeper. They will have a very hard act to follow in Ben Hamer.”

Due to the Spanish trip, the bulk of Brentford's first team won't feature in their first friendly, at Farnborough, on Wednesday, where a number of triallists will play.