Hull City swooped to sign Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Carl Rushworth on loan on deadline day to battle it out with Ivor Pandur and Anthony Racioppi for their number one spot.
Hull City saw the opportunity arise to bring in the Premier League man on the final day of the transfer window last month and felt that they couldn’t let it pass them by.
Rushworth, 23, spent last season with Swansea City and caught the eye with the Championship side, playing all 46 league games. He returned returned to his parent club earlier this summer before he was given the green light to head out the exit door again to get some more experience.
However, the ex-England youth international faces a real challenge in becoming the first choice for the Tigers with Pandur impressing so far in this campaign. He faces a frustrating few months on the sidelines if he isn’t able to break into their starting XI.
Hull City goalkeeper battle
Rushworth moved down to Brighton in 2019 after spells at Huddersfield Town and FC Halifax Town.
He is highly-rated by the Premier League outfit, despite never playing for their first-team.
The stopper has had temporary stints away at Worthing, Walsall and Lincoln City, as well as Swansea City, in the past to boost his development.
He was an eye-catching addition for Hull City and his arrival certainly boosts their goalkeeping department.
It would be harsh to drop Pandur at the moment though and Tim Walter is being loyal with the 24-year-old.
He endured a tough pre-season and questions were asked about whether he would be good enough to play at their level. The ‘keeper was signed last January but was used as back-up behind Ryan Allsop.
Pandur started on the opening day against Bristol City and hasn’t looked back since. He hasn’t put a foot wrong yet and considering the style of play that Walter adopts and the fact he has to use his feet a lot, he has done well so far.
If he was to make a mistake, Rushworth would be waiting in the wings to step up. The former Hellas Verona and Fortuna Sittard man has deservedly kept his position though and is likely to get the nod against this weekend against Cardiff City.
The Tigers face a Cardiff City side next who haven’t won yet and are without a permanent manager.
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