After New Contract, Cousins Wants Gerken`s Gloves

Dean Gerken and Mark Cousins are ready to battle it out for the goalie gloves at Colchester United next season.

The pair, both graduates from the side`s youth team, remaining a face-off for the number one position after Colchester so far failed to sign Jimmy Walker.

Walker should be available at the end of his West Ham contract, after being told he can go, and has been a long-term target of U`s boss, Paul Lambert.

Cousins, who has by far and away less experience than Gerken, has his eye on a starting place for 2009/10 following his breakthrough into the first-team XI last season.

Cousins played 13 matches and is eager for more of the same: "Last season I knew I was going to be number two to Dean," he said, speaking in today`s Evening Gazette.

"But I got some games and my aim is to be number one goalkeeper. I don`t want to be sitting on the bench watching games because you`re not contributing," he added.

If Gerken is not selected, or Jimmy Walker comes in as an expected automatic choice, it is expected that the former U's first-choice stopper will ask for a transfer.


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