Following the departure of number one 'keeper Ashlee Jones in the summer; Lowestoft had a clear problem between the sticks. Jake Jessup was left as the club's only senior 'keeper but had yet to make a clear challenge for his place behind Jones whilst he was at the club.

Marcus Garnham was brought in over the summer to replace Jones but was unable to fill his gloves and ultimately left the club just a few months after joining. This left Jessup, yet again, as the only senior shot-stopper. Lowestoft couldn't leave the most important position on the pitch lacking depth and acted by initially bringing in Harry Burgoyne for a successful spell on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, his spell was cut short with an injury crisis seeing him return to Molineux earlier than planned. Lowestoft had to move again and with his connections at Norwich City, Dale Brooks and Lowestoft swiftly brought in Killip on a short-term deal (one month) from Premier League side Norwich. This was a big coup for Lowestoft. Killip proved himself in that month with some fine displays in goal for the Trawler Boys and extended his loan till January. This means Lowestoft fans can enjoy his performances for a few more weeks, at least.

Killip has been on the books at Norwich for two years now and is one of a number of promising young players at the Premier League side. He is here at Lowestoft to gain the experience that he needs to grow as a player and push on into the professional game; something maybe Lowestoft as a club will be looking to do in the future.

Lowestoft Town faced Boston United at the Crown Meadow on Boxing Day and ahead of the match I spoke to on-loan Norwich goalkeeper Ben Killip about his time here so far and possible plans for the future.

Me: Since you joined Lowestoft on loan, how well do you think you have settled in?
Killip: I think that I have settled in well. All the boys, staff and fans have been very supportive and welcoming. They've made me feel part of the team which has helped massively on the pitch.

Me: Has it been hard to go from under-21 football with Norwich to men's football in the Conference?
Killip: Yeah of course. Playing for Norwich U21s the result is important but the main focus is the individual and team performance. So to go from that to a team where results is the be all and end all and what matters on a Saturday evening is whether you picked up points or not, is a different type of development, which is also key.

Me: Do you think Lowestoft have what it takes to stay up this season?
Killip: 100%. I believe with the quality and experience in the side, come the end of the season Lowestoft will be comfortably above the drop.

Me: If you have the chance to continue your loan till the end of the season, would you take it?
Killip: I've enjoyed being here and we will see what will happen.

Me: Has working with Declan Rudd/John Ruddy helped to improve your game?
Killip: Without a doubt it has. I came to Norwich two years ago and have been lucky enough to work with them quite a lot in that time. They are both exceptional professionals on the training ground. They help me with my game and give me pointers. I try to take things off them, if I see them doing something I like I try to take that into my game to help me, so even just watching them is fantastic for me. They're both premier league quality goalkeepers and to have them around and to work with them will only ever benefit me.

Me: Do you think you can ever make it at Norwich?
Killip: There would be no point in me being here if I didn't think that. You look at Dec at the moment and that gives me so much confidence because it shows hard work and patience can get you there along with very good ability. With the coaches at Norwich they'll push you to be the best you can be. So yeah I do believe I have the set up and hopefully the ability to get there.

Me: Finally, if you could bring one more youth player from Norwich to Lowestoft; who would it be?
Killip: Haha I couldn't pick.

Some very interesting answers from Ben. He clearly believes that Lowestoft has what it takes to stay in the Conference North, and so do I. There are some top quality players throughout the squad, Killip included, and there is no reason why the club should not have their sights higher at some point in the coming seasons.

Having a goalkeeper who has trained with top quality goalkeepers such as Declan Rudd and John Ruddy, who have both been capped at different levels by England, is fantastic for the club and is starting to bear results on the pitch with Lowestoft having lost just one of their last seven games in all competitions.

The goalkeeping position is, in my opinion, the most important on the pitch and to have a player of this calibre at this level is superb.

Hopefully the good performances will continue from Killip in the coming weeks/months if he can stay on for longer. Come on you Blues!

Daniel Emery