Albion’s goalkeepers drew the praise of Fabian Huerzeler ahead of Arsenal on Saturday – but the manager stressed he would have a clear no.1 keeper.
Jason Steele and Bart Verbruggen were both applauded for their performances to the begin the season, Steele for his shot-stopping in the league and Bart for his performance against Crawley on Tuesday night.
But Huerzeler said that it is “important that every player knows his role in the team”, including his goalkeepers.
On the battle for the starting keeper, he said: “For me it’s clear that we will have a number 1 this season and there will be clear roles for them. I will be very straight with this communication and I will be very honest with them.
“That's important for me that they know their roles in the team, not only in the goalkeeper position, also in the other positions, that every player knows his role in the team.
“I’m very happy to have both of them. Jason had some really good games for us in the preseason and against Everton and at the Amex against Manchester and he had a great impact on the squad.
“I think Bart showed especially in the Euros how good he has which potential he has.
“He can be one of the best goalkeepers in the world if he keeps improving. He has a great future.”
Jason Steele played in preseason and kept a clean sheet against Everton before helping Albion in their 2-1 win at the Amex against Manchester United.
Bart returned from injury on Tuesday against Crawley and made some crucial saves in his first game back since the Euros.
Huerzeler also praised the defensive start that his team has had –conceding just one goal in five games.
He particularly singled out Adam Webster as a role model in the dressing room, adding: “It's a shame to put him on the bench because he’s an unbelievable character, an unbelievable player.
“And that's why you see the situation also in the defence is quite good. I don't want to put a player like him on the bench, but at the moment there are Lewis and JP and we have a lot of options also in the defence.”
Albion have also since added Ferdi Kadioglu to the squad. He was presented to fans on Tuesday night and could be included in the squad to face Arsenal.
Huerzeler hinted that Ferdi could be used in midfield following the serious ankle injury Matt O’Riley sustained in the Carabao Cup.
The full back was praised for his flexibility in being able to play a lot of positions across the pitch.
Huerzeler said ahead of Saturday: “Ferdi is very flexible. He can play a lot of positions and now we have to see because he hasn't train with the team a lot.
“We have to see today, tomorrow, how he integrates. And maybe it will be an option in the squad, maybe not.
“So we just have a look together on the situation, then we'll make a decision.”
Albion face Arsenal at the Emirates at 12.30pm on Saturday.
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