Oxford United boss Chris Wilder says Ryan Clarke has established himself so successfully as one of League Two’s top keepers that the club are likely to sign an understudy to him, rather than direct competition.

The U’s need a No 2 goalkeeper following the release of former Bradford City stopper Simon Eastwood, who was keen to return north 12 months into his two-year contract following limited first-team opportunities at Oxford.

But rather than bring in someone who would provide strong competition to challenge Clarke, as United did when Billy Turley and Chris Tardif were at the club together, and when Turley and Clarke vied for the No 1 jersey, the U’s boss feels the money within the club’s spending budget will be better spent on bringing in a young understudy.

“I’m really looking to bring in a No 2 goalkeeper,” he said.

“I think I will go and get someone as back-up.

“Ryan has already done enough to demonstrate he’s a very good goalkeeper in our league and deserves the chance to stay as our No 1, and I need to be realistic too financially.”

Clarke won the players’ player of the year award at Oxford United last season.

He was the only U’s player to play in every match.

The 29-year-old said that with the new faces Wilder has already brought in, there is no reason why United cannot have a successful season.

Clarke added: “Every team needs strengthening and the gaffer is doing that with ours.

“If we can learn from last season and learn from our mistakes, we’ll do well. It was a big learning curve.

“I’m sure all the players went away thinking about what they can do next season, the way they can come back fitter, sharper . . . it’s all about the coming season now.

“Going away for the summer gives us a bit of a breather and takes our mind off it, and we’ll come back fresh and chomping at the bit.”