Sligo Rovers boss John Russell has backed former Cliftonville goalkeeper Luke McNicholas to fill the void left by Ed McGinty's move to Oxford United.
Republic of Ireland U21 international McNicholas impressed in the Bit O'Red's stunning 1-0 over Motherwell in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night in what was just his second start of the season for Sligo.
And Russell believes the 22-year-old will grab the opportunity to be the club's number one goalkeeper with both hands after a successful spell on loan with Cliftonville.
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McNicholas featured in 14 of the Irish League club's Danske Bank Premiership fixtures last season and helped the Reds to a runners-up finish behind Linfield in the league.
He also lifted the BetMcLean League Cup with Paddy McLaughlin's men in March thanks to a dramatic 4-3 win over Coleraine at Windsor Park.
"Luke McNicholas is a top keeper," said Russell. "We've been fortunate in this club, we produce some top keepers.
"We're delighted Ed McGinty got his move, disappointed, but we always knew that day was going to come and his performances for me over the past 18 months, he's probably been the best keeper in the League of Ireland.
"I felt coming into this window that there was a very good chance that we would lose him but luckily enough for us we've got a keeper who is an Irish U21 international.
"He went on loan last year to Cliftonville, got first team experience, and now he's in a position where he's ready to go and to come in against Motherwell was no problem to him. He's made for this occasion.
"He's got the opportunity now to be the number one keeper at the club and I think he's going to grab it with both hands."
Sligo beat Motherwell 1-0 on Thursday night thanks to an Aidan Keen goal and hold a narrow advantage heading into next week's return leg at the Showgrounds.
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