Football: Marriott makes move for Welsh goalkeeping spot

Andy Marriott wants to leave Second Division Wrexham to improve his chances of becoming Wales' first-choice goalkeeper.

Marriott, voted Wales' clubman of the year last week after his role in Wrexham's run to the FA Cup sixth round last season, won his first full international cap on his 27th birthday in the World Cup defeat by Belgium in Brussels on Saturday.

And with veteran Neville Southall probably at the end of his record-breaking 92 international cap career the battle is on between Marriott and Southampton's Paul Jones to replace the Everton player.

Marriott believes that the only way he will establish himself in Bobby Gould's squad will be if he moves from the Racecourse Ground to a bigger club. "I have two years of my contract left, but I am on the transfer list," he said.

"It's nothing against Wrexham, but I feel that if I am to progress and continue to play for Wales, I must get away. There have been a few clubs watching me, but I don't know of any approaches or even what Wrexham want for me."

The former Arsenal and Nottingham Forest goalkeeper has played for England Under-21's, but qualifies for Wales because his grandmother was born in Bangor.