Ian Black relishing battle for Town midfield berth
Tough-tackling Shrewsbury Town midfielder Ian Black is relishing the competition in the Salop squad this season.
The Scot came off the bench during last Saturday's goalless draw at Coventry City for his first competitive football this season.
And he completed the full 90 minutes for Micky Mellon's side on Tuesday in the 3-0 defeat at Charlton. Mellon has a number of midfield options in his squad this term, with Gary Deegan and Antoni Sarcevic joining in the summer, last year's Player of the Season Abu Ogogo and Richie Wellens all available.
The one-time Scottish international said: "You need competition because if not then the boys get into a comfort zone and that's the last thing we need. There's a lot of competition all over which is good, it keeps the boys on their toes and it gives the manager a headache every week.
"The gaffer will tell you he wants people doing well – to find it tough – and we want to give him problems.
"There's a lot of that this year because there's a good squad."
Black checked into Greenhous Meadow last September without a pre-season and admitted he found things tough fitness-wise.
But after completing a full close-season, he is raring to go.
He added: "You need pre-season just to give yourself a chance. I'm just delighted I'm injury-free."
Defender Dom Smith has sealed a loan move to National League Barrow until January.
