NIGEL Clough is ideally looking for a goalkeeper in his early 20s to fit into the club’s plans for next season.
Last year he had the experience of Stephen Bywater and the youth of Harry Campbell with Brad Collins arriving from Chelsea looking to push for the starting role.
Bywater has signed a new deal at the Brewers and with Campbell moving on Callum Hawkins has stepped up from the Academy to replace him.
Clough had hoped to sign Collins on a permanent deal but revealed last week that the 22-year-old was looking to sign for another cub.
The Albion manager said: “We like the balance so would like to go with a similar set up next season.
“You also can’t disregard the influence Stephen has on the younger keepers. He’s the first in for training and the last one to go. He still wins a lot of the running with all the players and is a great example in that. His distribution, especially his throwing, is excellent and they have all learnt from that.
“With his experience alongside Callum, we would really like to bring in a goalkeeper who is in his early 20s. That would be the best fit for us.
“We have Jack Livesey as well, and a couple of other good keepers coming through the system.”
Clough is prepared to wait for the right keeper and that might mean opportunities for Hawkins in the pre-season games.
He said: “Callum will be involved in the first team, travelling and training. It will mean him stepping up a little bit and if we don’t get the goalkeeper we are looking for until into pre-season then he will be sharing the load with Stephen.”