Norwich goalkeeper Declan Rudd has admitted it is difficult to sit on the bench most weekends and only feature in the first-team on a sporadic basis.
The 21-year-old made some key saves in the Capital One Cup success over Scunthorpe last night but is very much the second-choice goalkeeper at Carrow Road behind England international John Ruddy.
Rudd, who was today selected in England’s Under-21 squad, has said he will continue to work hard and be prepared for when he is next called upon by manager Chris Hughton.
“It is hard, there is that one position so you probably get one chance in a season if you’re lucky to come in and take a chance,” he told Canaries Player.
“You have to be patient and work hard and you have just got to stay on your toes and be ready when the opportunity comes along.
“At the minute I’m just training hard, keeping my head down and working hard, who knows what the future has got.”
Rudd made a number of smart saves in the 2-1 win, the most important of which came after only three minutes.
Scunthorpe winger Andy Barcham wriggled free in the Norwich penalty area before forcing a reaction save out of Rudd, who was happy with his efforts.
He said: “I was pleased with the save, obviously I’m there to do a job and if I can keep it out of the net then I will do my best to.
“I thought the game went well, the lads moved it around well and worked hard. Scunthorpe came and gave us a good game, they put their effort in and showed a good performance so I think the lads are pleased to come away with a 2-1 win.”
Hughton revealed after the match that he had made enquiries for other goalkeepers, with Blackburn’s Mark Bunn believed to be the main target, which would allow Rudd to move out on loan and gain some much-needed first-team experience.
“We expected Scunthorpe to be motivated and we conceded a poor goal, we afforded the lad a lot of space from the throw-in so that was probably the only disappointment for Declan, it would have been nice for him to have a clean sheet,” he said.
“It was the right game to bring him in, he had a bit of work to do and that is the experience he needs.
“We are delighted with the two young keepers (Rudd and Jed Steer) that we have got but we want them to get the experience.
“That would have been great for Declan tonight but he needs, as a young goalkeeper and in the same way Jed does, to get more games. “
Norwich took the lead in the match thanks to Simon Lappin’s first goal for the club in almost five years.
It was September 1, 2007 when Lappin scored in a defeat to Cardiff but he rifled the Canaries ahead just after the half-hour mark.
Mark Duffy levelled moments later before a second-half penalty from Wes Hoolahan ultimately proved to be the difference.
Hughton was happy with the overall performance of his team, after he named a completely different starting XI to that which drew 1-1 with QPR in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday, and was pleased to progress into the third round.
“I think we could have made life a little bit easier for ourselves, particularly after we got the first goal,” he said.
“We needed a long period of time afterwards where we allowed the game to settle down but of course their goal gave them a lift.
“In these games you want to go through and you want to get some value out of what you have tried but as I say, ultimately you want to go through.”
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