Substitute stopper Ross Fitzsimons is ready to play his part in Notts County's survival bid after first-choice Ryan Schofield was shown a straight red card on Saturday.
Schofield's last-ditch foul on Northampton Town striker Daniel Powell means that Fitzsimons, who started the season as a regular between the sticks at Meadow Lane, will come in for this weekend's trip to Crewe Alexandra.
The ex-Crystal Palace man has had to exercise patience throughout the later half of this season after being forced to watch from the sidelines, with Neal Ardley favouring his young Huddersfield Town loanee.
Despite a testing three months, Fitzsimons admits that with five crucial fixtures left to play there is no time to fight over the number one shirt with far more pressing matters at hand.
Neal Ardley hails Notts County's fighting spirit in claiming Northampton Town point
"It would mean everything to me to keep this club up," said Fitzsimons.
"Coming to this club made my dreams come true. I always wanted to play in league football and as high as I possibly could and it would mean everything to me to keep this club up.
"There is nothing more frustrating than watching from the bench, but the worst thing you can do it take your foot off the pedal.
"It has been tough, but the manager has been close to me and he has told me to keep going, and that is all I can do.
"It is what it is. The manager makes a decision and I have got to help the boys out as much as I can, so if I play all five games or just the one, I am here to help the boys out and I want us to stay up.
"We don't have time for me to be chucking my toys out the pram or causing a scene. I have to help the boys as much as I can."
Ross Fitzsimons thanks Notts County teammates for defensive heroics
Whereas most football club's can struggle with a battle of egos between their goalkeepers, Notts appear to have a pairing who want only the best for eachother.
At the relatively young age of 24, Fitzsimons is five years Schofield's senior and was quick to put an arm around him after he was shown his first career red card.
"I came in after the game and I said to him straight away that I thought the referee was harsh," he said.
"I think he (Daniel Powell) kicked it a little too far wide and then used Ryan's body to draw a foul, so maybe it was a bit harsh.
"I think he has done well to commit the foul outside the box instead of inside, otherwise it is a certain goal.
"I came in at full-time and he asked: 'How did you get on?', we are very close. We work together every day and we try and get the best out of each other.
"We have five games left and we have to give it everything we can."
