Boss says new midfielders coming in will only drive Atkinson on to perform

Steve Davis says that Chris Atkinson will be up for the fight when it comes to deciding the midfield positions. Atkinson and youngster James Jones have seen three new midfield players this summer but Davis has already stated that he wanted to create that real competition to improve consistency.

The boss certainly felt that some players believed that they were automatic choices last season regardless of performance and that is something he was determined to change going into the new campaign.

Atkinson was set to finish the season strongly until he suffered a shoulder injury in the opening minutes against Walsall. The injury ended his season prematurely but after getting a full pre-season under his belt, the former Chesterfield and Huddersfield man will be challenging for one of the midfield places.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “Chris has shown some really good energy levels in training and the games so far. He has been making runs in behind and that is something we want him to do more often.

“He has come back fit and ready for the challenge. He has been able to get a full pre-season under his belt and that is something he wasn’t able to do last season after he left Huddersfield.

“I am sure this season we will see more from him.”