BLUEBIRDS boss Mark Collier says Ben John is back as his number one between the sticks.

One of Collier’s first moves after taking over at Hardenhuish Park in November was to bring in Forest Green Rovers stopper Matt Bulman, who the Chippenham Town chief had worked with at previous club Swindon Supermarine on a month-long loan.

John has been forced to spend the last four weeks on the substitute’s bench but with Bulman’s spell with the Bluebirds expiring after Saturday’s draw at Corby Town, the 31-year-old returned to action against AFC Totton on Tuesday night.

“Matt Bulman’s loan’s up and Ben John has come back in. He’s been taken out of the firing line for five or six games and he’ll be starting on Saturday,” said Collier.

“Of course, he was disappointed to be left out but I thought it was right to take him out of the firing line at the time and get in a goalkeeper that I knew.

“He was the goalkeeper that was already here and he’s a contracted player at the club. He’s got an opportunity now to show what he can do and I’ve got no problem with playing him.

“He was at the club at a difficult time, when lots of goals were being conceded, but he starts on a clean slate and he didn’t do very much wrong on Tuesday.

“Ben trains every week, he’s worked hard and he’s got a lot of commitment. Credit to him for that because his attitude has been absolutely spot on.”

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