Exiles' keeper coup

As reported in yesterday’s Argus Sport, the Exiles won the battle to sign the 19-year old who wasn’t offered a new deal at Anfield where he spent three seasons.

Stephens will compete with goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley for the number one jersey, with manager Justin Edinburgh warning the ex-Chelsea man that he now faces a real battle for his spot.

“I think we’ve pulled off a real coup, it could be a tremendous signing for us,” Edinburgh told the Argus.

“Jamie hasn’t signed to be a number two, that is the situation, he’s signed to battle and try and become our number one.

“He had several offers other than the one from us and he could’ve signed for clubs at a higher level than League Two.

“But he didn’t want to join somewhere where he was going to be a number two.

“He’s come here because he wants to start and fight to be first choice.

“But he’s got tough competition because for the last 15 games of last season Lenny was the best goalkeeper in the Conference and will, I am sure, carry that into next season.”

Edinburgh set his sights on Stephens after just 48 hours last week despite him being one of five goalkeeper triallists. “He was a stand-out almost straight away for me,” he explained.

“His pedigree speaks for itself and you don’t spend three years at Liverpool unless you’re a good player.

“He’s been training day in and day out with Pepe Reina and that is quite a learning experience.”

Edinburgh still hopes to sign a full-back to complete his squad but admits progress is slow on that front. The Exiles thought they’d agreed a deal with Curtis Osano, only for it to fall through when he opted to play in India.

“It’s no secret I’d like one more, we hoped that would be Curtis and it wasn’t to be, so we’ve gone back to the drawing board,” he said.

“But there is nothing to report, just an enquiry or two and we won’t have anything done this week, it’ll be after we return from Germany.”