Oxford United manager Chris Wilder has told new goalkeeper Simon Eastwood he will have just as much chance of starting next season in the team as Ryan Clarke.

There will be no favouritism – it will simply be down to who performs best in pre-season, Wilder has stressed to the former Huddersfield Town stopper, who last week joined United on a two-year contract.

The U’s boss sprang a surprise by kicking off last season with new incumbent Clarke, who had just joined from Northwich Victoria, ahead of long-term No 1 Billy Turley.

And Clarke went on to have a superb season, keeping 25 clean sheets, as United won promotion through the play-offs, although he produced a rare slip to gift York their goal in the play-off final.

Eastwood said: “I spoke to the manager and he said it’s 50-50 . . . whoever does better in pre-season, so that’s fair enough.

“He rang me from his holiday, saying what he wants. I’m up for the challenge and think I can do well.

“I haven’t met Ryan yet, or any of the lads, and will just have to see them in pre-season.”

Eastwood, who will be 21 later this month, is seven years younger than Clarke, but already has plenty of Football League experience, playing the first half of last season at Bradford City, on loan from Huddersfield.

He has also represented both England Under 18s and England Under 19s.

“There were a lot of top players involved who were with Premier League clubs,” he said. “It was good to play in the same team as them, but it’s all about first-team football now and I’ve come down here for that.”

Eastwood made a name for himself at Valley Parade by saving two spot-kicks in a penalty shoot-out as Bradford beat Notts County in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last October, and he made 22 league appearances for the Bantams.

“League Two’s a good league,” he said. “It’s going to be a hard league for Oxford to get out of, but there’s no reason we can’t do it.

“With Bradford last year I found you can be up one minute and down another, so you’ve got to be patient. But hopefully we can push on.”

Asked what he felt his main attributes were, the 6ft 2in keeper replied: “I think I’m a good shot-stopper and kicker, and feel I can command my box.

“We’ll just have to see how it goes and who starts the season out of me and Ryan – but I’m ready for the challenge.”