Rice keen to start as Grecians' first choice.

(From Western Daily Press)

He has been handed the number one jersey for the new season and started Saturday's friendly at Tiverton Town but, for Exeter City goalkeeper Martin Rice, starting between the sticks at York City this weekend is by no means guaranteed.

The 20-year-old is vying with Paul Jones to begin the campaign as new manager Paul Tisdale's number one and it seems the Exeter-born glovesman will get the nod ahead of Jones, who was preferred by former boss Alex Inglethorpe.

Rice has been forced to watch from the sidelines for the best part of the last two years but, with Tisdale promising everyone in the Grecians' squad a fresh start, it seems Rice is set to benefit most from the change of manager. However, Rice has learned in his short career to date that nothing can be taken for granted.

"Whatever happens, happens. If Jonesy starts, then he starts, if I start, I start," he said. "We just back each other all the way.

"We have a very good relationship, there is no sort of back-stabbing at all, we are both in it together. If he is doing well, I will tell him he's doing well and if I am playing well, then he will tell me. It's more like a brother relationship than anything else, really.

"Of course I want to be the goalkeeper that plays every week, like he did last year. I would like to have done what he did last year and play for most of the season but, hopefully, I will have a chance this season to prove to the new manager that I can do it."