Preston North End goalkeeper Mathew Hudson is looking to continue his journey with the Lilywhites after signing a new two-year contract.
The Southport-born 21-year-old believes that despite not having too many games yet under belt, that his experiences are helping him develop.
“I have been in the same position for quite a while now,” he told iFollow PNE. “I have been in the position of being a number two since I was 16 or 17 and now it is just about taking that step to the next level.
“I feel I have got a lot of experience under my belt – not in game time situations, but I have done all the travelling, been on the bench and been involved in that first team environment.
“Being on loan at Bury was also a big thing for me as well. It was a very different situation, because it was experiencing something that I had never seen before, because of what was going on behind the scenes, which opened my eyes as to what it is really all about.
“The experiences that I have had, since I have been involved with the first team, have been great and now is the time to take my career to the next level and really push on from here.”
One of the big influences on the stopper’s progress this season has been working with goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould, something he admits to be thoroughly enjoying.
“I have been at the club a long time now and I am really happy to have that security of another two years and I am just looking forward to kicking on now,” he continued.
“Jonathan Gould has been massive for me. He has given me that confidence since he has come in, something I was probably lacking to make that next step and he has been great.
“Every day has been a new opportunity to learn something different and the experience that he has got is fantastic for me and he has definitely taken my time to the next level, I am really enjoying working with him.”
He also says that working alongside Declan Rudd – who himself signed a new contract this summer – is also a big help to him.
“Dec has been brilliant with me. He has that kind of experience that I want to get and he has had the best experience of them all, which is being a Premier League goalkeeper and that has to be the main aim for everyone, especially myself.
“He has been brilliant for me, pushing me every day and we are doing things together now, like planning going out on our bikes.
“I am really enjoying learning from him and taking his experience into my game,” he added.
For an extended interview with the PNE No.28, who discusses lockdown, his own learning experiences, the mental challenges of being a goalkeeper, his time at the club and much more, click on the video at the top of the page.