Lance Cronin insists he’s ready for the challenge after an injury to goalkeeper Alan Julian handed him the number one jersey for Gillingham’s trip to Morecambe on Saturday.

The former Ebbsfleet United keeper joined the Gills in the summer to battle it out with Julian for the goalkeeping shirt.

With Julian now out for several weeks with a broken hand he has the opportunity to prove what he can do he’s hoping to make the most of it.

"I’m prepared and a hundred per cent ready," said Cronin (pictured).

"It would be brilliant to make my debut and it’s what I’ve been hoping for since I joined. I’ve been patient waiting for my time to come and if that comes on Saturday then I’ll be over the moon.

"When the opportunity comes around you have to take it and I’m sure if it was the other way around Jules would be thinking the same thing. If you’re number two when you get the chance you have to make sure you do well.

"The games are coming thick and fast for the next couple of weeks and if will be nice for me to get my foot in the door, get settled and if I do well keep my spot in the team."

Cronin has spent the previous four seasons with Ebbsfleet United and has played just once in the league, turning out for Wycombe at Bristol Rovers on the final day of the 2004/05 season.

"I’ve been waiting for god knows how long to get another chance," said the former Crystal Palace youth player.

"To play for Wycombe then was brilliant and I now want to get a few league appearances under my belt."

Cronin’s only other senior appearance for a league club came for Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup as a second half substitute against Chase Town.

Julian is likely to be on the bench. He can still play in an emergency as he only has a hairline fracture.

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