Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan is ready for Albion’s next big test.

The Seagulls stopper was at nets on Sunday to meet the Australia team ahead of their second Ashes showdown with England, which begins tomorrow.

The Socceroos international knows better than anyone that ‘catches win matches’ and showed a safe pair of hands as he kept a clean sheet in Albion’s opening day 3-0 triumph at Watford.

Ryan was well protected at Vicarage Road but insists the latest win demonstrates he can never take his eye off the ball as Albion prepare to face West Ham at the Amex on Saturday.

The No.1 made two vital saves at 1-0 up to prevent the hosts finding a route back into the game. The keeper combined with Lewis Dunk to prevent Andre Gray drilling home and also stretched to tip an inswinging Jose Holebas free-kick round a post.

He said: “It’s always great as a goalkeeper when you don’t have much to do.

“There’s that old cliche of being a goalkeeper and it’s all right when the games end up being a clean sheet but, for that one moment that comes along, and even outside of that, there are still decisive moments where you need to be clear with your decisions and be that composed figure back there.

“I was just thankful that I could contribute on the pitch to what we tried to show to the fans.”

Ryan was all smiles after the comprehensive win and a day later when he chatted with members of the Aussie team including captain Tim Paine.

He was also pleased with the way Albion’s hard work in pre-season paid off.

Ryan said: “We have prepared in a certain way since pre-season began and it’s nice that it has all come together.”