RISING England prospect Ross Turnbull has revealed how Carlo Nash's departure from Teesside has left Middlesbrough's young goalkeepers with high hopes of progression.

Nash has completed a move to Preston North End and now Turnbull, Aussie Brad Jones and FA Youth Cup shot-stopper David Knight provide the club's back-up to No 1 Mark Schwarzer.

The chances of dislodging Schwarzer as Steve McClaren's first choice are slim but there is a great opportunity for one of the trio to become the Australian international's deputy.

There is a growing belief that McClaren will not look to bring in a new face as cover for Schwarzer this summer, instead offering youngsters the chance to shine.

Jones, on the bench for the last three games, will initially be the man to stake a claim but Turnbull is also determined to make the most of Nash's exit.

Turnbull, yet to make an appearance for Boro, is nursing a hand injury sustained during a successful loan spell with Barnsley.

The 20-year-old has been called up for the England Under-21s this season and is only eight months into a four-year deal at the Riverside - a sign of how highly rated he is by McClaren.

But Turnbull is refusing to take anything for granted and is determined to prove to the management that he is more than capable of filling the breach.

"Now Carlo has gone it has given all of the young keepers a bigger chance to impress. It's sad to see Carlo go because he was a good man to have around the place," said Turnbull, who also spent one game on loan at Darlington last season when he kept a clean sheet against Lincoln.

"But it's good for myself and for Brad to know that we have moved up the ladder a bit. I feel that after my loan spell at Barnsley I could handle the Premier League.

"We all get on well and it doesn't affect our friendship that we are all fighting for the same shirt. Brad's a few years older than me so is a little further on but we all help each other."

Turnbull is back at Boro recovering from the broken hand he suffered in training at Barnsley when he had an aerial clash with midfielder Chris Shuker.

And it is at Rockliffe Park where he believes strong coaching from Paul Barron and Stephen Pears, and tips from Schwarzer, have helped him develop into one of the brightest goalkeeping talents in the country.

"Mark's been here for the past eight years and it's always going to be difficult for young keepers to take the place of someone of his experience and you can't expect to," said Turnbull.

"It's good to work with someone like him and see how he operates. He is so experienced and it's good to be given a few pointers from him."

Turnbull is the third Boro young gun to have suffered disappointment in the Under-21s this week. Turnbull, along with Tony McMahon and James Morrison, would have been in the squad for next Tuesday's game at the Riverside against Azerbaijan but were omitted through injury.