Griffiths to fight for West Brom spot after loan ends

Josh Griffiths has kept five clean sheets in 15 League One games for Bristol Rovers this season

On-loan West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Josh Griffiths said it is coming to the time he has to "fight for his position" at the Championship club.

The 23-year-old is on a season-long loan with Bristol Rovers, his fourth loan spell away from the Baggies in the last four seasons after Cheltenham Town, Lincoln City and Portsmouth.

He has played every minute of Bristol Rovers' 15 League One games so far this season, keeping five clean sheets.

"I think at some point I've got to stamp my feet down and say I want to fight for my position. But that's a conversation I need to have with myself," Griffiths told BBC Radio Bristol.

"That is ultimately my end goal, I want to be West Brom's number one so that's probably a decision I need to make."

Griffiths has been on the West Brom books since he was 10 and has made 13 appearances, although was limited to only three cup games during 2023-24 behind first-choice keeper Alex Palmer.

He said the experience of playing regular football on loan early in his career had helped his development on and off the pitch.

"It's been brilliant for me to play a decent amount of games before 23. I'd like to think I've got a decent bit of experience playing in the three leagues," Griffiths added.

"Coming to different teams helps, different styles, meeting different people, it's good for your people skills getting to know everyone."

While Griffiths signed on a season-long loan, Bristol Rovers manager Matt Taylor said it was not certain he would be at the club beyond the January transfer window.

"The expectation is that he's here for the season but with so many games in the next six weeks so much can change," Taylor said.

"For us, his parent club, elsewhere, you just don't know. Right now everyone seems happy with the current partnership and relationship."

Taylor added that while Griffiths had a "little blip" around the 4-0 and 3-2 defeats by Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United in September, he has been a good addition to the club.

"For the first time in the game hit him a bit but before that and since then he's been excellent," Taylor said.

"He's made countless amount of saves. We still want more from him in certain areas of his game, he's still a young goalkeeper learning and development but I think he's been a good addition to this football club."