SIMON Mignolet will not read anything into Steve Bruceâs selection from Sunderlandâs Premier League dress rehearsal.
Belgian keeper Mignolet played the full 90 minutes in Saturdayâs stalemate with Hibernian as Black Cats boss Bruce named what appeared to be the bulk of a first-choice starting XI for the final pre-season friendly.
The side at Easter Road strongly suggested Mignolet will get the nod over Keiren Westwood for Saturdayâs curtain-raiser at Liverpool, with a shoulder injury restricting the latter to just three pre-season outings.
But Mignolet, who has now linked up with the Belgium squad ahead of Wednesdayâs friendly in Germany, realises Westwood is still firmly in the race to start between the sticks at Anfield.
Mignolet told the Echo: âI donât take any hints from starting on Saturday. The only thing I can do is keep working hard.
âKeiren obviously is a good goalie and heâs an international too. But itâs a good thing if thereâs competition in the team.
âItâs not just for goalkeepers, I think all the lads are happier if theyâve got another guy to compete with because it means theyâll only get better
âIâve got a friendly with Belgium on Wednesday so Iâm away until Thursday. Then itâs up to the gaffer to choose. Heâs the only one who can make the right decision.
âItâs not perfect going away on international duty three days before the season starts. On the other hand, itâs always nice to play for your country.
âTouch wood, I donât get injured and hopefully Iâll come back without any niggles.â
So how do you make a choice between two international g/k?
And when Gordon returns, that is 3 full internationals, selections problems, but nice ones to have.
How does he choose?
Belgian keeper Mignolet played the full 90 minutes in Saturdayâs stalemate with Hibernian as Black Cats boss Bruce named what appeared to be the bulk of a first-choice starting XI for the final pre-season friendly.
The side at Easter Road strongly suggested Mignolet will get the nod over Keiren Westwood for Saturdayâs curtain-raiser at Liverpool, with a shoulder injury restricting the latter to just three pre-season outings.
But Mignolet, who has now linked up with the Belgium squad ahead of Wednesdayâs friendly in Germany, realises Westwood is still firmly in the race to start between the sticks at Anfield.
Mignolet told the Echo: âI donât take any hints from starting on Saturday. The only thing I can do is keep working hard.
âKeiren obviously is a good goalie and heâs an international too. But itâs a good thing if thereâs competition in the team.
âItâs not just for goalkeepers, I think all the lads are happier if theyâve got another guy to compete with because it means theyâll only get better
âIâve got a friendly with Belgium on Wednesday so Iâm away until Thursday. Then itâs up to the gaffer to choose. Heâs the only one who can make the right decision.
âItâs not perfect going away on international duty three days before the season starts. On the other hand, itâs always nice to play for your country.
âTouch wood, I donât get injured and hopefully Iâll come back without any niggles.â
So how do you make a choice between two international g/k?
And when Gordon returns, that is 3 full internationals, selections problems, but nice ones to have.
How does he choose?
