WITH Clayton Ince still sidelined through injury, Rene Gilmartin could well be looking at an extended run in The Saddlers' first-team.

Regular stopper Ince hobbled off against MK Dons last weekend and was replaced by Irishman Gilmartin, who kept his place for Tuesday's trip to Oldham Athletic.

At this morning's press conference, Jimmy Mullen revealed that Ince's injury, which has been diagnosed as a groin tear, will keep him sidelined for anything between ten days and three weeks.

Although Gilmartin wishes Ince a swift recovery, he wants to grasp this unexpected  opportunity of impressing on the first-team stage with both hands.

"It's not nice when a team-mate, and friend, is injured but I have to look beyond that," explained the 21 year-old. "It's tough in one respect having Clayton ahead of you because he has been outstanding for the club.

"He's played a massive amount of games over the years and, because of his form, it's meant my chances have been a bit limited. As I've said before, I don't have any complaints about that but what I do want to do is, when I'm in the team, show people that I'm a competent 'keeper.

"I came into the team a few weeks ago when Clayton was on International Duty and thought I did okay and now I want to prove that I have what it takes again.

"I know that Clayton is Number One and without his injury he'd be in the team but all that I can do is my best and try to impress in his absence."

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