The status as first-choice goalkeeper is up for contention at MK Dons

Competition for the first name on the team-sheet at MK Dons is about to hot up, with Paul Warne saying he has not signed Will Dennis just to sit on the bench.

The 26-year-old keeper arrived at Stadium MK on Wednesday from Bournemouth for an undisclosed fee, ready to challenge Craig MacGillivray for the number one spot.

The Scot though enjoyed a brilliant season between the sticks for Dons last season, helping them to secure promotion from League Two, while making a strong start to this season too, with an excellent display in particular against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

With Dennis vying for position after ten years as the understudy at Dean Court, and impressive spells away on loan at Kilmarnock and Leyton Orient, Warne admitted he has a choice on his hands.

“I’ll pick whoever I think is the best keeper,” said the head coach. “Will has come in to play. Every player I sign, I sign with the intention for them to play. However, he has to earn the right. No-one has a God-given right to be given anything.

“All of the players I’ve signed, they usually have a bit of time before they get in and if they do well and do better than who they replace, they stay in.

“Craig’s had a really good start to the season but we’re looking to improve every department. By bringing Will in, we’ve definitely done that compared to what we saw last season.”

With less than a week to go before next Tuesday’s 11pm transfer deadline, the Dons boss said he is still keen to bring in one or two more new faces, while anticipating a similar number to make room.

“We’re still trying to get another couple in I think,” he added. “I expect to lose another one or two, which is fine, natural erosion. But also if I have this group come the close, then great.

“I told them again, they’re running out of time to get out. Come next Wednesday, you’re mine! They’ve all got an opportunity to look elsewhere if they want to, but if this is the group then I back them to the hilt.”