Phil Bardsley doesn't expect any playing guarantees at Stoke City.
The former Sunderland fullback insists he is taking nothing for granted, given the competition in the current squad, despite the confidence boost of just being signed by Mark Hughes.
"I've always appreciated competition," he told The Sentinel, "because it's vital for your football.
"It's the only way to get the best out of yourself and your team-mates.
"You want everyone fighting for their places, then come game day you obviously want to be in that starting line-up.
"But we have 20-odd players in that dressing room all feeling the same, so it makes for very difficult competition for everybody."
