RORY WATSON has not come to Wrexham just to sit on the substitutes bench and has vowed to push first choice goalkeeper Mark Howard for a starting place.

The 26-year-old was brought in as a short-term back-up on a non-contract basis after Christian Dibble picked up a knee injury days before the 2022-23 National League season kicked-off in August, joining Rob Lainton on the sidelines.

Most recently at Scunthorpe United, Watson has been named as a substitute for all seven games so far and has had his short-term deal extended until January.

Delighted to be involved with the first-team, Watson is now targeting a place in the side.

“I am still young for a goalkeeper but I have played a lot of games,” said Watson, who started his career at Hull City and made more than 80 league appearances for Scunthorpe.

“I think I bring quite a lot of experience to this team.

“Like I said to the gaffer, I have not come here just to sit on the bench.

“I want to play games and that is my aim, to try and get in the first-team.”

Wrexham has entered a reserve team into the Central League this season and Watson intends to stake his claim in those matches.

There has not been a second string outfit at The Racecourse since the end of the 2016-17 campaign and the league will provide important development opportunities for young players and first-team members who need game time.

Watson is looking forward to playing in the first reserve team fixture at Bolton next Wednesday.

“We have got a reserve game next week and I will probably play in that,” said Watson.

“Just keep me ticking over and when I am needed, I will be ready to go.

“I have had it a couple times in my career where I have had to come on from the bench.

“It is always good to have some games under your belt before you play so the reserve league is a good thing and it will be good to play in those games.”

Watson, who left Scunthorpe at the end of last season following the Iron’s relegation to the National League, jumped at the chance to join Wrexham when Phil Parkinson needed a replacement for Dibble.

Definitely with the club until January, he hopes to extend his stay in north Wales further.

“I left Scunthorpe and I had about a month-and-a-half off,” said Watson.

“I went to Huddersfield for a week and a bit, trained there but then left so I was looking for somewhere to train.

“This came about and I jumped at the chance to come here.

“I got the call about four weeks ago to come in on a short-term basis and I came down that night.

“Obviously I have trained since then and I have enjoyed it.

“It was no-brainer to sign here.

“It is just pleasing to get something until January and I am looking forward to hopefully extending it further than that as well.”