Cardiff City goalkeeper David Marshall has insisted that he is ready to be tested in the Premier League ahead of the upcoming season.
The Scotland international has been made the first-choice keeper by manager Malky Mackay for the 2013-14 campaign ahead of Joe Lewis and new signing Simon Moore.
Marshall, who is preparing for his first-ever season in the English top flight, has revealed that he has been getting advice on how to cope in the division from his colleagues.
"It's going to take a bit of getting used to. I'm expecting a whole new challenge and I'm preparing for that now," Marshall told reporters. "At Championship level there were always a lot of crosses coming into the box, but I don't expect the same number in the Premier League.
"The best teams will look to play their way through rather than fire it into the penalty area early. I'll find that out for myself over the next few months but I have spoken to goalkeepers who have played in the Premier League.
"Matthew Gilks had a full season in the Premier League with Blackpool and he has been helping me out with little bits of information. It helps immensely to talk to people with experience and I am doing that at every opportunity, such as with our goalkeeping coach Jim Hollman who has coached at Norwich."
Marshall also admitted that it will be "difficult" for him to cope with the Premier League initially.
"It will be different and I'm sure it will take a little bit of getting used to," he added. "For example, there are fewer matches and that means it might take longer to get over disappointments.
"In the Championship there was always another game coming up fast, but mentally we must put defeats behind us quickly in the Premier League."
Cardiff start the season at West Ham United on August 17.
Matt Cotton
