HE MAY be rated as the best goalkeeper in the area but Matt Shortt knows he has a fight on his hands to win back the number one shirt at Petersfield Town.

Shortt has been on the sidelines with an ankle problem since getting injured during Petersfield’s opening game of the season at AFC Rushden and Diamonds.

He played through the pain barrier that afternoon after feeling something snap in his foot and he has been recovering from the injury ever since.

He could get a start against Hayling United tonight in the Portsmouth Senior Cup tie at Love Lane (kick-off 7.45pm).

However, although the Rams have been through four other goalkeepers since he has been out, the final man brought in to replace Shortt has been in impressive form.

Anthony Ender has played the last 11 games in a row for Petersfield and after doing well in that run and keeping a clean sheet in last Saturday’s 2-0 league win over St Ives Town, Shortt has a battle on his hands to win back his place in the side.

Assistant manager Jason Hampson said: “Shortty is the best goalkeeper in non-league football in the area and he is a firm favourite with everyone at Love Lane.

“At the moment though he needs minutes on the pitch and the Hayling match gives us the opportunity to put him in there so he can build his fitness up.

“In terms of the league matches, it would be very difficult to drop Anthony due to the form he has been in recently and the fact he kept a clean sheet last Saturday. Ender has done very well for us since he has signed and Shortty realises that he needs to win back his place in the team.”

Petersfield are expected to field a strong side this evening to ensure they book their place in the next round of the competition.

Hampson added: “It’s an opportunity to rotate some of the squad but essentially we will be treating this as a first team match. We are taking the Portsmouth Senior Cup very seriously this season.”