YORK City left-back Dave Merris has admitted that competition for his place can only benefit the team.

Vice-captain Nathan Peat and on-loan Sheffield United defender Evan Horwood have both been preferred to Merris in the Minstermen's starting line up this season but he is relishing the challenge.

Merris got his latest chance during Saturday's 1-1 draw against Morecambe when Horwood had to be withdrawn on 19 minutes because of dizzy spells and last season's Evening Press Player of the Year is determined to prove his worth again.

The former Harrogate Town defender was hoping to figure in today's derby clash at Scarborough (1pm kick-off) and said: "The competition is better than last season and that is good for the club. At the moment, there's three of us here going for one place and it keeps you on your toes.

"Week in, week out you have got to do your best because, if you don't, there's someone there to take your place. In every position, there's two or three people looking to fill your boots."

Merris won the Evening Press Player of the Month award for November before losing his place to Horwood but, despite being slightly frustrated, respects the judgement of manager Billy McEwan, who admitted that the former Rotherham trainee was unlucky to be left out.

"You have to get on with it when the manager makes his decision," Merris said. "When your chance comes again you then have to take it by doing your best."

Merris was also given a tough task on his return to first-team duty against talented Morecambe right-winger Garry Thompson but he rose to the occasion, saying: "We knew he had some pace from the away game but I am not the slowest and I like a challenge.

"I knew he would try and get down the outside because that's all he's really got so it wasn't too bad."

Updated: 10:45 Monday, January 02, 2006