Callum Burton happy to battle for Shrewsbury Town starting spot
He may currently be out plying his trade on loan at AFC Telford United, but the importance of competition has not been lost on Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Callum Burton.
The 20-year-old is one of four players at Greenhous Meadow all battling for the number one shirt.
Canada international Jayson Leutwiler holds that position at the moment, with Mark Halstead breathing down his neck, while Burton and Shaun Rowley are both out on loan, the latter at Southern League outfit Slough Town.
"Ever since I turned pro, Jayson and Mark were here and then Shaun came up the year after me so I'm used to it (competition) by now," said Newport-born Burton. "People say 'Why have you got four keepers at this level?' and how unusual that is but realistically, me and Shaun are young and although we want to push for the first team, it's helping us go out and get games.
"We're lucky in that respect that we can go and get games rather than being held here and not used at all.
"Games for us is a massive benefit because we want to push through and play here and the only way to impress the gaffer is to go and do well on loan."
While an error from Leutwiler was costing Town in their defeat to Bolton on Saturday, Burton was saving a penalty in the Bucks' 2-1 defeat to Brackley.
But Burton knows it will take a lot more before he can finally claim the Town's goalkeeper jersey from the current incumbent.
"Jays is brilliant, to be fair," said Burton. "I didn't know him that well because he'd only just come to England, but since he's been in his professionalism has been amazing and I've learned a lot from him.
"It's proving now that it's paid off with him playing with Canada and his performances here show how good he is.
"It's brilliant working with him and Mark too. He's excellent and doesn't get the credit he deserves because he's one of the best keepers I've worked with.
"They're a great duo to work off."
Despite the competition in front, the goal is still for Burton to take their place in the team eventually.
"That's what the aim is," he added. "Me and Shaun have grown up here since we were nine and 10 together and if you'd have said that we'd be in this situation we wouldn't have believed you.
"All four of us want to play here or else we wouldn't be here.
"It's important to have that competition in the squad. It's important with the first team and Jays because he knows he's got three keepers snapping at his heels to play.
"Obviously we push each other on for the benefit of the team and hopefully one day we'll get our chance."
