NEW Motherwell signing Dean Brill is gearing up to challenge Craig Samson for the number one spot at Fir Park.

Samson has had to wait for an opportunity since he signed for the Steelmen last September, as he spent the campaign behind Connor Ripley in the pecking order.

He's expected to now make a bid for a starting spot after only making two appearances last season, but the experienced Brill will provide tough opposition after arriving from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

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When asked about the battle the two have on their hands, Brill said: "It's a good one. We are both experienced enough. We have both been in the game and possibly in this situation before. I certainly have.Glasgow Times:

"And it's one I'm looking forward to and relishing. He is a good guy as well as a good goalkeeper but I want to be playing and, come the start of the season, that's where I hope to be.

"I'm a footballer, I want to play football, but at the same time I'm not scared of a challenge. Goalkeeping is different to most positions: it's one or the other, you can't play both at once.

"As long as I get a good crack of the whip, and Craig will probably say the same, I'm happy and I back myself to fight for that jersey."

Brill injured his knee when playing Celtic in April last year and has made only one outing in 18 months as a result.

He then lost his place to Owain Fon Williams at Caley and wasn't offered a contract extension this summer.

"It was a different injury, it's not common and it was a big operation," the former Luton player said.

"But I was lucky enough to have the best surgeon in the UK, which I'm grateful to Inverness for. I will always be grateful to them for looking after me.

"But I have been in full training since the end of March and played five or six games for the Inverness (under) 20s so I feel I have fully come through it."