GIANT Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen makes no secret about his footballing ambition. "I aim to be the best in the world," he says simply.

It seems only a matter of time before the supremely confident 24-year-old replaces Peter Schmeichel, the man recognised for so many years as the best in the business, in Denmark's national team. But he knows he will have to be patient before the former Manchester United star finally makes way for him.

Sorensen, who has been described by his manager, Peter Reid, as the best goalkeeper in the Premiership, has been substitute 25 times for Denmark and has only one cap, awarded after he went on against Israel last year when Schmeichel was injured.

It is frustrating for Sorensen that he is understudy to such a great player, and he knows there is little he can do about it except to try to improve and play consistently well in a bid to impress the new Denmark coach, Morten Olsen, who was manager of Ajax after playing 104 times for his country.

He said: "If the coach thinks that Peter Schmeichel is the better goalkeeper and he wants to keep on playing then all I can do is wait for my chance.

"I don't think I'm unlucky to be playing at the same time as Schmeichel. If you consider the goalkeepers before me they never got a chance because of him.

"I'm just turned 24 and Peter is now 36 maybe in a year or two's time I will break through.

"Certainly I would love to go on playing at the top level for as long as he has.

"There is no doubt that he is still at the top. He is an experienced goalkeeper and people are still afraid of him."

Sorensen knows that many supporters in Denmark rate him alongside Schmeichel and he refuses to admit he is second best.

"I never accept anyone is better than me, but you do have to realise what he has done in the game and what he means to the Danish team. You can't take that away from him," he said.

"He is a fantastic goalkeeper and he has opened the door for the likes of me and other young keepers. Suddenly English clubs and European clubs started to look at Denmark for players.

"I am still a young goalkeeper and I think I am getting better all the time and becoming more experienced.

"I want to be the number one goalkeeper in the Premiership and if I can start playing regularly at international level I would like ultimately to be the best in the world. That's everyone's aim."

He added: "It you make it, it is down to hard work and a bit of luck. You need to make good saves at the right moment in very important games."

Sorensen goes out in tomorrow's home game against Leicester City knowing that he must maintain a high standard, not only to keep up his challenge to Schmeichel in next week's internationals against Northern Ireland and Bulgaria, but to ensure that he continues as Sunderland's first choice keeper ahead of Austrian Jurgen Macho, who has played in four games this season.

Reid rates Sorensen, a bargain £1m signing from Odense two years ago, as the best.

"I honestly would not swap him for anyone," he stressed.

"Peter Schmeichel was 26 when he joined Manchester United and there is still plenty of time for Thomas. I don't think goalkeepers come into their prime until they are in their late 20s.

"One of the big things with goalkeepers is experience. Thomas has all the attributes and he is getting the experience with us.

"Sooner or later he will be Denmark's No 1 he certainly has all it takes to be that."