RORY Watson and Joe Cracknell are both ready to step up and help solve Hull City's goalkeeper crisis at Liverpool this weekend.
That's the view of reserve team boss Tony Pennock, who has backed either of his young stoppers to handle the occasion if they are called up to the subs' bench at Anfield.
With first-choice keepers Allan McGregor and Steve Harper injured and City unable to recall Mark Oxley from his loan at Hibs until January, Eldin Jakupovic remains their only fit senior keeper.
Although the Tigers have looked at the possibility of an emergency loan, that option looks unlikely to be granted by the Premier League and a solution could now be found much closer to home.
Watson, 18, has been in sparkling form for City's development squad over the past month, saving his eighth successive penalty late on in a 1-0 Premier League Cup success at Sheffield Wednesday on Monday night.
Cracknell, 20, has been sharing the glove duties with Watson this term, but has previously been in the first-team environment.
Watson would appear to be in pole position to act as understudy to Jakupovic after an impressive display at Hillsborough, although the final decision will lie with manager Steve Bruce.
But with a spot on the bench a probability for one of them, Pennock insists neither would let anyone down.
"I'm not too sure how Allan McGregor is doing in training in terms of how far he is from fitness, but we've got two great keepers here," Pennock told the Mail.
"I think both Rory and Joe could have an opportunity now. It's down to the gaffer and the staff at the end of the day.
"Joe's been involved with the first-team before and Rory also travelled up to Newcastle this year.
"If it happens, the boys have got to take their opportunities when they come, learn from the experience and do what they can."
