Mark Halstead aiming to become 'undroppable' between Shrewsbury Town sticks

The former Blackpool custodian, 26, kept a clean sheet at Middlesbrough in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night.

Now he has turned his attentions to a similar shut-out in League One for new boss Paul Hurst.

The dead-rubber tie at The Riverside was just Halstead's second appearance of the term – the first coming at Scunthorpe in the same competition, Micky Mellon's final game as manager – but keeping out Boro has stood him in good stead with Jayson Leutwiler absent on international duty.

Halstead made 19 appearances last season and wants to start his league campaign this time around by ensuring Salop's visitors also draw a blank.

"I'm fortunate that the manager saw me a couple of times (last season) when I played against them so if I do all right then I'll make myself undroppable," said Halstead.

"I've never seen myself as a number two, to be honest. I've always seen myself as being ready and able to play. It's just down to me now.

"I showed on Tuesday that I can do it – and I've shown it previously as well.

"I need to stay consistent and stay solid and give him no reason to drop me.

"We (the players) get the first chance to prove ourselves and this is my chance now."

Halstead's fellow glovesman and long-term club number one Leutwiler is away on international duty with Canada.

Born in Switzerland and having featured in a number of Swiss youth squads, Leutwiler switched allegiance and will hope to line up for The Canucks in Seoul today where they face South Korea in a friendly.

While heaping praise on his good friend, Halstead acknowledged that the call-up is likely to hand him more chances as he bids to establish himself as Shrewsbury's first choice goalkeeper.

He added: "Firstly I think Jayson's got the recognition he deserves over two-and-a-half years he's been here.

"I think he's been very consistent and very good, so every credit to him for that.

"But it is an opportunity for me now, when he does go away.

"I feel like it's down to me now, whether he's here or not .

"If I do all right when I'm playing, then I see no reason why I shouldn't be playing anyway."