Randolph has missed West Ham United’s last four matches.
Former Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner [left]
Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner does not believe Darren Randolph will struggle to find a new club if he cannot win back his West Ham United place.
Randolph has been a regular for much of the Hammers’ 2016-17 campaign, playing 22 out of their 37 Premier League fixtures so far.
However, the 30-year-old was dropped to the bench following April’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland and has missed four straight matches, with Adrian taking his place.
And while he is unsure whether Randolph will return as Slaven Bilic’s number 1, Bonner insists the Irishman’s improvement over the past three years will stand him in good stead if he has to seek opportunities elsewhere.
“If I had to talk about Darren when he was at Motherwell or when he was at Charlton, then I would say he needed to get his fitness levels up, to get sharper,” Bonner told the Irish Sun.
“I think he’s stepped up. Some goalkeepers, it takes a little bit of time but he’s up at a level now.
“He was left out of the West Ham team which was a wee bit disappointing for him but the pressure is so much on these teams now. If you make one or two mistakes you are out, in our day you could make 10 mistakes and you were still there. That’s changed.
West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph
“He knows what it takes to play that level and I think he’s old enough now to handle all that. He’ll be desperate to get back in, that’s for sure.
“Whether that happens or not, he’s in a different position now than he was three years ago — that’s for sure. People will come looking for him.”
Randolph moved to West Ham two summers ago from Birmingham City, but signed a new four-year deal at the London Stadium in July 2016.
Departing Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy
According to the Daily Mail, the Hammers have held talks with released Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy, whose arrival would surely threaten Randolph’s place in the team.
Was Bilic right to drop Randolph as West Ham’s first-choice ‘keeper?
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