Jordan Robinson has been at the heart of Darlington's drive for promotion in recent weeks, but even he acknowledges his place is not safe.
He is one of six players to start each of their matches during an 11-game unbeaten run - ten of them victories - and hopes to play in Saturday's crunch clash with Curzon Ashton
Alongside Chris Hunter and Alan White, Robinson is one of only three to have played every minute of the 11 fixtures, the most recent being last Saturday's 5-1 win at Kendal Town.
The arrival of Rob Ramshaw on loan from Gateshead, however, and the availability of Leon Scott after serving a three-match ban means there is now strong competition for places.
"There's players on the bench who don't really deserve not to be starting, so I appreciate being in the team," said Robinson, 22.
"Just look at the squad that we've got.
"Everyone knows that if you don't play well you might be out of the team next week. That's a good thing to have because it puts pressure on you to play well.
"With the way we're playing, its just good to be in the team every week and I'm enjoying being part of it."
Having been signed to play in the centre of defence, which is where Robinson has played since a teenager, he has no qualms about being pushed into midfield.
He said: "I'm really enjoying it in midfield, especially with the way the team is playing.
"I've always wanted to play there, but as a young lad I was tall so I got put at the back and stayed there. That was at Middlesbrough in the under-14s - you just play where you're put - but when I was even younger nobody wanted to play at the back, so the bigger lads like me would have to play there!
"I wouldn't want to go back into defence now, and with the way Chris and Whitey are playing I wouldn't expect to play there either."
Second-top Curzon visit Heritage Park on Saturday for an eagerly-anticipated match.
Quakers lost 1-0 to Curzon earlier in October, but Robinson is feeling upbeat.
"We'll go into the game full of confidence," he said.
"We should've won that game because we had the better chances. They were solid all over the pitch, they worked hard and you could see why they're doing well, but they didn't have outstanding individuals.
"They were difficult to break down, but if we play well I don't see any reason why we can't beat them."
Meanwhile, Spennymoor Town have signed former Darlington midfielder Curtis Edwards.
The 20-year-old has recently been with Thornaby in the second division of the Northern League after being released in December by Quakers, who signed him after he had left Middlesbrough.
Moors manager Jason Ainsley said: "I am delighted to have acquired the services of Curtis on an 18-month contract.
"Curtis is a very talented footballer who will add competition to our midfield, especially with the fixtures mounting up.
"He is the right age to hopefully move up the leagues with us should we be successful and it's now time for Curtis to show everybody what he is capable of and prove that he shouldn't have left the professional game.
"Curtis will have to fight hard to get in the side but he is hungry and wants to succeed which is what I wanted to hear."
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