Manchester City midfielder James Milner says the battle for places is improving his game.

His spell at City is the first where he is not one of the first names on the team sheet, but Milner accepts that as inevitable with the quality of the squad and the challenge for honours on several fronts.

Milner, currently preparing for England's Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro on Friday, said: "I wouldn't say the competition is daunting.

"It's a pleasure to play with the good players we have at the club and the amount of players we have at the club is very healthy for the team and that's the most important thing and comes first.

"There is competition all over the field and you know you have to play well to get your chance and stay in the team.

"But I think if you look at the fixture list, and how many games we have this season, then everyone is going to play more than enough games.

"To challenge on all fronts is what we want to do and to do that you have to use a squad and there has to be competition and a healthy competition for places, which we have.

"You are going to get injuries, you are going to get suspensions and things like that. It's important that we have a squad as big and as good as we do."