Paul Simpson hopes Jokull Andresson will take confidence from his “outstanding” efforts for Carlisle United at Stevenage.
The goalkeeper made a string of impressive saves to keep the Blues in Saturday’s 2-2 draw.
On his third United start against his former club, Andresson denied Jamie Reid, Carl Piergianni and Elliott List with some defiant stops.
It was the Iceland international’s best display since replacing Tomas Holy in Carlisle’s goal.
“I hope he’ll take a lot of confidence from it,” manager Simpson said of the Reading loanee.
“He’s being pushed all the way by Tomas who showed on Tuesday [against Accrington Stanley in the EFL Trophy] he can come in and do a job as well.
“He [Andresson] must have made three or four really good saves with his feet, then a couple he tipped over.
“That’s why I wanted him in the club, because I think he’s a good shot stopper.”
Stevenage boss Steve Evans admitted he was pleased for Andresson even if it meant disappointment for his own side.
The 22-year-old played three games for Stevenage in an injury-hit loan spell last season.
“I think it’s probably fair to say he doesn’t come and dominate his box like somebody who’s Tomas’s size can,” added Simpson.
LISTEN: Simmo on the Stevenage draw and the next challenges at United
“His kicking is maybe not as consistent as Tomas’s, certainly not distance wise. But he makes saves and that was why I put him in – I want him to make saves and that’s really important as a goalkeeper, even if that’s stating the bleeding obvious…
“He was outstanding and they were excellent saves on Saturday.
"The players have got confidence in him behind them, and especially when he makes saves like that they get even more confidence.”
Simpson admitted Andresson had a reprieve late in the game when an offside decision cost Stevenage a third goal following a slip by the keeper.
“I’ve got to say that I was delighted to see the flag go up when he fumbled that one – I’m not sure what happened there, if it took a bit of a bobble or not,” added the manager.
“We got out of jail with that one. I’m hoping it’s the right decision. But he made some really good saves and he kept us in it with his feet probably.”
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