VANCOUVER - Brad Knighton insists the starting goalkeeper’s job with the Vancouver Whitecaps is still his and that as long as the club continues to win “I don’t see anything changing.”

But rumors persist that the Caps are looking to upgrade at the position. A report out of Denmark last week said Danish ‘keeper David Ousted, whose contract with Superliga club Randers FC is about to expire, is headed to Vancouver when the summer transfer window opens July 9.

“Whatever happens, I’m here to compete and someone has to take it out of my hands,” said Knighton, 28, after the Caps 4-3 win Saturday night over the New England Revolution. “If somebody’s coming in, let that be that.

“Life is all about taking your chances when you have them. I’ve got a chance right now and it’s my spot to lose.”

Knighton had the No. 1 job at the end of the 2012 season, but Joe Cannon, 38, re-claimed the spot in pre-season. Cannon made 10 straight starts and recorded a 1.40 goals against average before giving way to Knighton over the last four. He has given up nine goals in that time, including six over the last two games.

GETTING TIME: With the Whitecaps up by two goals in the second half Saturday, head coach Martin Rennie found some playing time for first-round draft picks, Kekuta Manneh and Erik Hurtado.

Manneh came on in the 66th minute for midfielder Matt Watson, while Hurtado subbed on in the 74th minute for Camilo. The prized rookies have been used sparingly of late.

“We want to try to get Kekuta and Erik in the game more and more, because the more they get to play, the better they’re going to get,” said Rennie.

“We’ve already seen quite significant improvement. If you look at Hurtado tonight, for example, his possession of the ball on that right side compared to his first game (of the season) against Toronto is miles ahead from where it was. We’re working really hard with the young players, doing a lot of extra work with them and we’re starting to see the results and benefits of that.”

QUICK TURNAROUND: Vancouver centre back Johnny Leveron left Sunday for Sandy, Utah, where he’ll dress for the Honduran national team in its FIFA World Cup qualifier against the U.S.

Rennie said Leveron is basically insurance for the Hondurans and is not likely to play, which is good news for the Caps since Leveron will be needed Wednesday night when Vancouver faces Chivas USA at home.

“He should be fine,” said Rennie. “Obviously, if he plays a lot of minutes, then we’ll have to look at that.”

The Caps are very thin at centre back right now with Andy O’Brien (hamstring), Brad Rusin (calf) and Jay DeMerit (Achilles tendon) all injured.

gkingston@vancouversun.com