Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is happy with his battle for No1 status this season.

Johnstone is now competing with fellow England keeper Dean Henderson, after his arrival from Manchester United this past summer.

Also a former United player, Johnstone told BBC Sport: "It's tough but I feel like I've thrived off it a little bit with the situation at our club.

"It probably does play on your mind a little bit, of course it does. Everyone has their ego and wants to be the person to be playing and not lose their position.

"Roy (Hodgson) was great with me. He spoke to me and reiterated that I had done well for him and that for as long as I was playing well and not injured then I was his number one.

"Obviously, that was good to hear for me to know that he still trusted me even though the club had spent a lot of money on Dean."

Johnstone added: "It's tough. I'm there for Dean and when he's fit we push each other and the club have two England goalkeepers on the books.

"We are mates as well. Deep down he will be thinking 'I want to play' and deep down I'm thinking 'I don't want to lose my place, I'm going to play and I'm going to do everything to stay in the team'. Then we'll sit next to each other on the coach and sit in the dressing room and be mates.

It's tough for whoever does not play. At the moment I have the shirt, I'm playing well, enjoying my time and that's all I can do."