TOM New says he wants to use his time with Derbyshire to establish his credentials as a future England wicketkeeper.

The 23-year-old from Leicestershire is to spend the next month with Derbyshire as cover for the injured Jamie Pipe and will make his debut in the Pro40 League match against Surrey at Queen's Park tomorrow.

Although he made his first team debut for the Foxes in 2004, chances behind the stumps have been few for New because of the form and fitness of Paul Nixon.

After a meeting with Leicestershire senior coach Tim Boon this week, New's name was circulated to the counties as being available to go out on loan. That coincided with Pipe's broken finger at Chesterfield on Wednesday and the loan move was swiftly completed by Thursday night.

“One man's misfortune is another man's gain and this injury has come at the wrong time for Pipey but the right time for me,” he said.

“I've been lucky enough to open the batting for the last couple of years but the time comes when you want the gloves and this is the time.

“I'm still only 23 but, at this stage of my career, I need to be keeping wicket. I think I've played 44 first-class games now and only about six or seven of those as a wicketkeeper.

“It has been frustrating for me because keeping has always been the first thing on the list for me. I have had to stay patient because Paul Nixon has been a terrific keeper, whose record speaks for itself.

“I met with Tim Boon and we decided that my going out on loan would be the best way forward for myself and for Leicestershire. It all happened very quickly after that.

“I feel sorry for Pipey but I'm really looking forward to this opportunity. They are big shoes to fill but I'll do all I can to help Derbyshire be successful.”

The month with Derbyshire will give New valuable experience of regular keeping in county cricket but he says his ambitions stretch beyond that.

“If I am going to be playing for England I need to be keeping wicket as well as batting sooner rather than later,” he added.

“In a couple of years, the England job could be anybody's and if that happens, I don't want to be left behind. This was a decision that had to be taken.”

New has a first-class career average just below 32 with the bat, including two centuries, but runs have dried up for him recently.

“There have been a few bad shots and a few good balls and I've gone three or four games without getting many runs,” he said.