Ward wants to push for starting spot at Swindon Town

Keeper Lewis Ward insisted he would not settle for being second-choice stopper at Swindon Town as he looks to push for a starting spot.

The 28-year-old featured during Tuesday’s 3-2 EFL Trophy defeat to West Ham United’s under-21s at the Nigel Eady County Ground.

He has been on the bench for every League Two encounter this season, as he acts as understudy to Connor Ripley in the Town goal.

But former Exeter Cty and Sutton United man Ward insisted he would be doing everything he could to get into Ian Holloway’s starting XI.

He said: "We are all competing for places. No one is walking into the team on a Saturday, and every time I come in, I try to show I want to play.

"I am not content being a number two and I think Connor [Ripley] knows that, so we push each other every day.

"We have got a really good relationship and we try and push each other, and whoever plays then we are respectful.

"Knowing that, he [Ripley] will have to be sharp, and we will see what happens."

Next up for Town is a trip to Rotherham in the FA Cup first round on Saturday (3pm).