Ben Roberts has revealed he still has a friendly rival in Michel Kuipers.

Roberts won the battle to start the season as Albion's No.1, but the former Charlton custodian insists it is not a case of gloves off with Kuipers.

"I've trained hard all pre-season and I thought the games had gone pretty well, so I was obviously pleased to start," Roberts admitted.

"I've said all along it is healthy competition. I didn't disrespect Michel at all. He's a fantastic goalkeeper and I've enjoyed working with him so far.

"It's going to be a good battle all season and you have got to relish that.

"I've been in Michel's situation many a time. He will react exactly the same as I have. Nothing has changed.

"We have both got on with our jobs. We both want to be No. 1, but we will both help each other out.

"People talk about the keepers' union. At every club I've been at the goalkeepers have always got on fantastically well and it's the same here. It's good to bounce off one another."

Roberts' loan spell with the Seagulls as cover for thigh op victim Kuipers was cut short last season when he fell ill and boss Steve Coppell signed Dave Beasant on a short-term contract.

The 28-year-old Geordie had no hesitation in accepting a wage cut to sign a two-year deal with Albion after Beasant rejected a new contract offer.

"I want to play first team football," Roberts said. "That's why I have come here.

"I turned my contract down at Charlton and I spoke to other clubs during the summer, but I was very happy with everything here as an all-round package.

"I don't want to go into the financial side. That doesn't bother me at this stage of my career. It's all about playing."

Roberts, an FA Cup and League Cup finalist during eight seasons with Middlesbrough, has played in the Second Division before for Luton, Millwall and Reading.

Softly spoken off the pitch, he has already been shouting the odds with his defenders as Albion bid for an immediate return to Division One.

"I get a bit carried away with my football sometimes," Roberts said. "You have got to let your defenders know. It's a matter of communication between both parties.

"That is massively important for a goalkeeper and as the season goes on we will get used to each other more and more."