Words John Edwards | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Director of Football Marc Tierney moved swiftly to cover Ethan Ross' injury-enforced absence earlier this week by snapping up highly-rated Norwich City prospect Caleb Ansen on loan.

The 19-year old trained with his new Alty team-mates at Egerton on Monday before making his debut in the 2-2 Vanarama National League draw against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park on Tuesday.

Though his 20th birthday is still seven months away, the 6ft 4in keeper has regularly starred for Norwich under-21s, including in a European tie with PSV Eindhoven at Carrow Road, and has twice been on the bench for the first team in the Championship.

And he doesn't lack confidence, judging by the way he responded after being asked to describe how he sees himself as a number one in the wake of an impressive 2-0 win for Norwich under-21s against PSV in the Premier League International Cup a couple of months ago.

"I think I'm a commanding keeper, a big presence, and I like making penalty saves," he said. "I like the big moments, big moments in games. I'd say I'm decent with the ball at my feet, and my main attribute is shot-stopping.

"It was good to get the win and clean sheet against a really tough Eindhoven side. It was my second clean sheet within a week, so I'm feeling good about that.

"I have trained with the first team quite a bit and travelled with them to games, which is all great experience for me. But you can't beat minutes on the pitch. I want to be playing as much as possible, wherever that might be.

"I want to be out on the pitch getting minutes under my belt - that is how you improve your craft."

With so little time to react to Ethan Ross's injury against Braintree on Saturday, Alty director of football Marc Tierney was delighted the Robins were able to complete the formalities and hand Caleb squad number 21 in time for him to face promotion rivals Oldham.

"Ethan has played with a few injuries recently and been a real solider, and everyone wishes him well with his recovery," he said. "We know it's big shoes to fill there, and, quite literally, Caleb will do that.

"He is a real giant of a man but very agile with it and very highly rated by Norwich goalkeeping coach Declan Rudd, who I know. It was important to get someone in, and, after working on it all weekend, I'm really happy to get in our number one target.

"I spoke with the coaches, and we know we want someone who has good distribution as well as great agility, and Caleb fits the bill. He's 19, but Charlie Olson has come in and shown you can do really well at that age.

"We promote youth, We promote these young players - if they are good enough, they are old enough.

"I spoke to the sporting director at Norwich, where I have good contacts, and they are more than happy to let him come and ply his trade with us. They know how important these games are coming up.

"I'm really happy to get him over the line. He has got excellent references from everyone I have spoken to, and I've used my contacts to get it all done in such a short space of time. Myself, Phil and Sorvs are really happy to get Caleb in.

"I think he will be a really good addition to the squad. His character is exactly what we are looking for as well as his physical ability on the pitch, so I'm really looking forward to getting him in and welcoming him into the squad at training."

Caleb joined Norwich at under-13 level and progressed at such a rate that he was awarded his first professional contract with the Canaries in November 2022, describing it as "a very proud moment for me."

His development continued under the tutelage of Rudd, himself a former Norwich keeper, and he signed another contract with the Canaries in October 2023 that will run until 2026, with an option for a further 12 months.

Describing Rudd's influence, he said: "He is demanding but very good for me. He's been with me since I started my scholarship, and I've learned so much from him because he used to play at a high level. I cannot thank him enough. We still have a lot of learning to do but it's taken a lot for me to get here. I want to keep learning more and more."

You've come to the right place for that, Caleb. Alty are a club with an enviable reputation for improving players under the guidance and man-management expertise of the gaffer Phil Parkinson and his assistant Neil Sorvel, and everyone here wishes you every success in your time at The J.Davidson Stadium.