Hodgkiss prepared for fight to keep shirt

MACCLESFIELD Town defender Jared Hodgkiss believes the competition for places in the squad means that every player is attempting to perform at their utmost best.

Hodgkiss made his long-awaited debut on Saturday when he played in the 1-0 victory over Torquay United.

After joining in the summer, the 30-year-old has had a long road to recovery for Macc after spending the last few months on the sidelines with injury.

Hodgkiss is now back, but he insists he won’t be resting on his laurels and knows he’ll have to repeatedly try to perform at his best in order to keep his place in the team.

“We have good quality throughout the whole squad. The competition for places is great, as you have to be training and playing well every day to get and keep the jersey,” he told the club’s official website.

“The competitiveness in the squad is evident and gives the team a boost with quality coming off the bench in the crucial moments of games. Those on the bench are looking to earn a starting berth, meaning training is at a high intensity as everyone pushes themselves to the next level.

“Training and playing at your maximum can only improve you, which obviously is good for the club in achieving what we have set out to.”

Hodgkiss has played professionally for over a decade, beginning his career at West Brom before going on to represent the likes of Aberdeen, Northampton Town, Forest Green, Kidderminster Harriers and Torquay United.