Pompey revelling in goalkeeping competition

And Guy Whittingham is convinced Pompey are reaping the rewards from the youngster’s battle with Jamie Ashdown.

The 23-year-old picked up a clean sheet in the goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

His sixth successive league start, it was another assured showing from the summer signing.

Henderson has proven a reliable presence during a run in the side which started just over a month ago following the axing of Ashdown.

And such has been his impressive kicking ability, he even set up a Luke Varney goal against Doncaster.

Watching from the bench has been Ashdown, who made 47 successive Blues league appearances before being dropped for the visit to Elland Road.

Such was the long-serving keeper’s displays last term, he received several player-of-the-season awards.

Yet former rival Darryl Flahavan never made an appearance before leaving in the summer.

Now Henderson has emerged as the Blues’ number one.

Whittingham has certainly been impressed by his displays so far.

But he has stressed competition dictates one false move and Ashdown is ready to return.

He said: ‘I think Stephen has done very well.

‘The most important thing about Henderson and Ashdown is there is now competition for places.

‘Stephen knows he is in the side at the moment.

‘But he has to play well because if he doesn’t we’ve got another goalkeeper with experience of playing in the Championship all year ready to step in. That helps John Keeley in his training, that helps bringing the young kids through, the same as it does to outfield players.

‘It is so important to have that at a football club.

‘I think Stephen’s distribution with the ball is very good, he talks a lot to the back four.

‘You ask anybody back there and they like information about what is going on.