New goalkeeper Chris Neal believes he is ready to make the step up from understudy to first-team regular at Shrewsbury Town, writes SAM MORRIS.

Neal, who has spent much of the last five years on the substitutes bench with Preston, is confident he is ready to grasp the chance offered to him by Town boss Paul Simpson.

“This is a massive opportunity for me to play now,” said the 23-year-old.

“Obviously the gaffer has given me this chance and I am ready to step in and play some first team football.

“From what I have seen of the lads so far, there is the potential to push on. Realistically, we should be pushing for promotion this year and I think if we don’t, it is not going to be seen as a successful season.

Neal will be battling with Glyn Garner and Andreas Arestidou for the No 1 jersey in the race to succeed loan ace Luke Daniels.

“I don’t think it creates a lot of pressure for me,” added Neal, who is on the pre-season training camp at Desert Springs, in Almeria.

“Obviously Luke did brilliantly and had a fantastic year but I am just going to knuckle down and am glad that I have the chance to get a few league games under my belt now.”

And he is delighted to work with goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins again, after both previously had spells at Preston.