LUKE YOUNG was a regular starter for Torquay United but the midfielder is thriving off the fierce competition for a starting place at Wrexham.

The 25-year-old ended his four-year spell with Torquay to join the Reds in the summer and is one of a number of midfield options available to manager Sam Ricketts.

But although he is not guaranteed a place in the side, Young says the players are being spurred on to earn a starting spot and play for a winning team, with Wrexham currently among the National League frontrunners.

"I was fortunate enough at Torquay last year to play every single game but I never took anything for granted and thought I would start every game," said Young.

"When you come to a club as big as Wrexham, and the squad that we have got, there is competition for places and that is what you want.

"You want to be pushed and we have got three, four, five midfielders and other players that can do jobs in the areas I play.

"It keeps everybody on their toes and working hard to get that starting place.

"When you get it you have got to take your chance. In the back of your mind when you do start is you have got very good players behind you that are ready to come in if you're not performing so you have got to keep your own standards high.

"We are up the top, doing well and everybody wants to be playing."

Young began the season in the side but sustained a dead leg in the 3-0 win against Boreham Wood on August 11 and has been in and out of the starting XI since returning to full-fitness.

"The injury came at a bad time for me personally but a good time for the team because when I was injured, they picked up two wins on the road," said Young.

"However much I am disappointed not to be involved because of an injury, and then being in and out of the side the past few games, as long as the team is winning and playing well that is all that matters. It is a team effort."

Wrexham have picked up 21 points from the opening 10 matches to sit second in the table.

Although pleased with that return, Young feels the Reds could have collected even more points.

"We strive to be the best we can, us as staff and players will look at it and probably think that we should have a few more points than what we have got," said Young.

"But going into the season with the new gaffer, new players and new ideas, I think after 10 games, with one defeat and sitting one point off the top, we can't have too many complaints about the position we are in."

Wrexham registered a hard-fought 1-0 win at Braintree last weekend and Young is eager to continue the unbeaten record at The Racecourse with three points against Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

"We got a positive result on a tough away trip," added Young.

"Our focus now is fully on the game against Ebbsfleet. They made the play-offs last year and they probably won't be too far away this year.

"It is going to be a tough game but we are at home, we have got to make it a fortress here and get the crowd behind us.

"Hopefully we can put on a good show and come away with three points again."