NATHAN Peat has relished his fight for York City's left-back spot with last season's Evening Press Player of the Year Dave Merris.

The 22-year-old defender has heightened competition for the position following his summer switch from Hull City and has been preferred to Merris during the first three games of the season.

Merris could be handed a recall at full-back for tonight's home match against Woking with Peat under consideration for a central-defensive role because Mark Hotte is suspended following his red card at Grays Athletic.

But Peat has just been pleased, so far, to be competing with Merris for a regular first-team place after five years of junior and reserve football at Hull.

He said: "I didn't want to go to a club where I was going to sit on the bench again and, even though I have got to contend with Dave Merris here, I have got a chance of starting games. If Dave's playing well I will push him all the way and, if I am playing, I will do so to the best of my ability and if that keeps me in the team then great because I want to play as many games as possible."

Peat's versatility extends beyond defensive positions with City boss Billy McEwan using him in midfield during friendlies.

But the Hull-born newcomer has played most of his career at full-back. He said: "I've played in midfield quite a few times and started my career there but, when I was at Hull, there was endless competition in midfield so I slotted in at left-back and have never looked back since then really."

Further up the pitch, Peat is also backing former Tigers team-mate Clayton Donaldson to continue terrorising Conference defences with his pace.

He said: "I've known Clayton for about five years now as I did my YTS with him but, over the last couple of seasons, I think he has grown quicker and quicker. I don't think any defender will be able to keep up with him this season.

"I think he will get goals as well as long as the service is right for him. No striker can score if the service isn't right so that's the responsibility of the rest of the team."

Peat left Hull for a loan spell at Lincoln last season but his Sincil Bank stay was cut short and a possible permanent move scuppered by a cartilage injury after 13 matches.

Former England manager Peter Taylor then handed him a free transfer at Hull but Peat has no regrets, saying: "Hull are a big club who can buy players as and when they want. People say you have to take one step backwards to take two forward and that's how I am seeing this move.

"The manager sold the club to me. He feels York City are going places and believes that I am good enough to play in the Football League, the Conference and in this team."

Updated: 11:25 Friday, August 26, 2005