On-loan Nottingham Forest goalkeeper George Shelvey is expected to push for the No.1 spot at Mansfield Town.
The 20-year-old will spend the upcoming season with the Stags, as he looks to get his first taste of Football League action.
And boss Nigel Clough has made clear he hasn’t signed Shelvey simply to “sit on the bench”.
The youngster has previously had loan stints at non-league Wealdstone and Truro City, and has frequently been involved with the Reds’ Under-23s and Under-18s.
He has also been an unused substitute for the Forest first-team before, but his switch to the One Call Stadium offers a real opportunity to pick up some valuable experience.
Prior to Shelvey’s arrival, Mansfield agreed a loan deal with Manchester United stopper Nathan Bishop for the 2021/22 campaign, making for plenty of competition in that department.
Clough told the club website: “George is a young goalkeeper with a lot of potential.
“Seamus McDonagh, our goalkeeping coach, has worked with him before at Forest and speaks highly of him.
“Being involved day in, day out with a good League Two first-team squad will only benefit his development.
“He’ll probably start out as a number two goalkeeper but we want him to really push for the number one spot.
“He’s not come to sit on the bench. He’ll have some games in the EFL Trophy and fixtures like that.”
In addition to featuring for the Reds’ youth sides, Nigel Doughty Academy product Shelvey has been in and around the senior squad for some time.
He was on the bench for the 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Chelsea in January 2020, and earlier this year signed a professional contract until 2023.
