DANNY ELLIOTT accepts that he will have to remain patient to nail down a starting position for promotion-chasing Chester.

The 24-year-old former Port Vale attacker joined the Blues in July, and has since made two league starts for the club with a further six appearances from the bench.

Though frustrated at his peripheral role to date, Elliott knows that he may have to bide his time after Chester’s fine start to the National League North campaign.

“When I have played, I feel like I’ve done quite well and as a team I think we’ve done brilliantly up to this point to get to where we are,” he said.

“Personally I’ve found it a bit frustrating in terms of the amount of game time I’ve had.

"I would have liked a bit more, but it’s a long season and things can change. But when you look at how well the lads have done in these first 12 games, you can see why it’s so difficult to force your way into the team.

“I’ve still got a lot of faith in my abilities and I’m confident I can show that and make a difference this season.”

The Blues squad is blessed with a wealth of attacking talent, with Akwasi Asante, Matty Hughes, George Waring, Anthony Dudley and Craig Mahon all vying for starting berths.

And Elliott says that the strength in depth of the Chester squad has been integral to their nascent success this term.

He added: “Having quality players around you is a massive positive. It drives up the levels of competition and it drives you on as an individual to improve.

“It’s not just in attack, it’s all over the pitch. Look at how Scott Burton has come into the side after the injuries we’ve had in central midfield, or how lads like Jamie Morgan and James Jones have come in and done so well in defence.

“They’ve done really well when given their chance and will feel like they deserve a shot at starting now.

“It’s a squad game and everyone will have to play a part at some stage.

"There’s a great dynamic among this squad, which is better than in any other one I’ve been a part of previously.

"It’s not about individuals, it’s about what’s best for the team and hopefully that will be a big asset for us this season.”

Second-placed Chester head out of a two-week fixture break on Saturday when they visit high-flying King’s Lynn Town.