Defender determined to keep his place after first start...
Ashley Eastham believes that he faces his biggest challenge yet in holding down a starting berth.
Eastham arrived at Meadow Lane on a one-month loan from Blackpool at the beginning of October but has had to wait two weeks for his first significant involvement.
On Saturday, the 21-year-old made his first start for the club in a 2-1 victory over Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena and impressed alongside Dean Leacock.
Now the defender is determined to hold onto his shirt and hopes make his home debut on Tuesday night against AFC Bournemouth.
“The gaffer has put a lot of faith in me by putting me in that back four and I just want to pay him back the respect that he’s given me,” Eastham told Magpie Player.
“I’d like to think that I can put in more performances like Saturday and be strong and keep– well, we didn’t keep a clean sheet but we nearly did.
“The gaffer said that he’s more than comfortable with the players that he’s got here, you only have to look at the bench and what we can bring on.
“We’ve got a lot of players that are comfortable in many positions so fortunately the gaffer put me in, what I like to consider, my number one position.
“The squad’s strong, there’s not just 11 professionals here, there’s a squad of 20 or 25 players that can play week in, week out.
“I can’t take anything for granted and hopefully I’ve done enough to keep my place and if not, I’ll work hard to get back in.
“If I’m selected on Tuesday, I’ll be putting in 110 per cent for the fans.”
Tuesday night’s match kicks off at 7.45pm. For full ticket information, click here.
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