Experienced Republic of Ireland international Nick Colgan is pushing to become City’s new keeper.

Colgan is in line for an outing in the opening friendly at Farsley tomorrow night as Stuart McCall looks for a first-choice replacement for Donovan Ricketts.

Jon McLaughlin has already been signed from Harrogate Town as back-up but McCall is in the market for a senior stopper.

Rhys Evans, who had a short loan spell at Valley Parade early last season, is also in the frame after being released by Millwall and McCall is weighing up the possibilities of a loan move for a Premier League youngster.

Colgan, capped nine times by his country, has spent the last week pre-season training with City and McCall is keen to take a look at him in match conditions.

The City boss said: “We’ve had him for a week but sometimes in pre-season that’s not long enough. You’re not doing a lot of shooting or crosses and I want to see him in a game.

“He only played once last season and we need to have a look at him like he’ll be looking at us.”

Colgan, 34, played 113 games for Barnsley and was their penalty shoot-out hero in the League One play-off final win over Swansea two seasons ago, saving the decisive spot-kick from Alan Tate.

He made his last international appearance for the Republic in May 2007 in a 1-1 draw against Bolivia in Boston.

But Colgan lost his Barnsley place last season with the arrival of German Heinz Muller and was restricted to just one appearance in a 4-1 home loss to Coventry in August. Colgan left Oakwell at the end of the January transfer window to join Ipswich as cover on a short-term contract.

He did not make an appearance for the Tractor Boys and was reluctant to take up an offer to get involved with their goalkeeping coaching.

As McCall considers his keeper options, he is still in the chase for another striker.

Long-term target Michael Boulding is currently training with Rotherham along with brother Rory but has still to make up his mind where to go after leaving Mansfield.

It is understood that any deal for the in-demand Boulding may have to incorporate his brother, who also quit Field Mill following the Stags’ relegation from the league.

McCall is still monitoring events but added: “We are enquiring about other players. There are options out there and the loan route as well.

“With Omar (Daley) back now, we’ve got four strikers in training. We will be bringing in another one nearer the time so I’m not unduly concerned.”

Delroy Facey has been mentioned after his release from Gillingham.