MATT Bloomfield will cross his fingers this week that he has done enough to earn a starting place in Peter Taylor’s team for Saturday’s glamour trip to Charlton Athletic.

The midfielder has reaped the rewards of a summer focussed on improving his fitness with a good pre-season, but admits he still has no idea if it will enough.

Bloomfield said: “I hope I start. I’m very happy with how pre-season has gone for me. I did a lot of work over the summer and came back fit so I’m just looking forward to getting myself in the team and doing well.

“I’ve played in the middle during pre-season, I’ve played wide on the right and now on the left. I don’t mind where I play as long as I’m in the team.”

With Tommy Doherty, Ian Westlake and Lewwis Spence injured Bloomfield has a great chance to nail down his place early.

He said: “When everyone is fit there is a lot of competition.

“The gaffer has brought in some great players this summer, lads that have played at this level and higher.

“The competition for places is hotter than ever and we all need to be on our toes.

“There are a lot of midfielders, two players for every position, so you have to play well to get your shirt.”

Bloomfield played 45 minutes against Bristol City on Saturday before being replaced by another potential rival for his place, triallist Danny Spinner.

He said: “It was tough. Bristol City are a very good team and have done very well over the last couple of years.

“Coming to their place was always going to be a hard game but I thought we acquitted ourselves very well.

“I think we passed the ball well. We were together as a team and looked organised and solid and I thought we counter-attacked quite well at times.

“We can take a lot of positives from that. It’s going to be a tough league that we’re playing in this year and we’re going to be playing against a lot of good teams.

“But to come to Ashton Gate was a good test for us and I thought we came through it quite well.”

Charlton Athletic on Saturday highlights the quality in League One this year.

Bloomfield said: “We’ve prepared really well and we’re raring to go.

“Pre-season is good but it’s all about preparing for the start of the league season. That’s when the business starts and we can’t wait to get going.”