Andy Drury believes the strength of the Ipswich substitutes’ bench is keeping him on his toes.
Drury, 28, accepts he will only continue to hold down a regular place in Paul Jewell’s starting line-up if he can maintain the consistency he has shown during his current eight-game run in the side.
He said: "I got my chance because of injuries and that was a stroke of luck on my part. But now that players are fit again I can honestly say that I am in the side on merit.
"However, when I look around sometimes and see the calibre of player I am keeping out — guys like Jimmy Bullard and Grant Leadbitter — I know I have to keep producing a good standard of performance.
"I always felt that I would be good enough for this level and it is nice to have been given the opportunity to prove it.”
Drury, who cost £150,000 from Luton in January last year, made over 350 appearances for them and other non-league clubs Stevenage, Lewes, Gravesend & Northfleet and Sittingbourne before being handed his big chance at Portman Road.
Not surprisingly, he is enjoying his football at the moment as Town continue to climb away from what had looked like developing into a relegation battle until four successive victories propelled them towards safety.
He added: "When I came back from my loan spell at Crawley around Christmas time it wasn’t looking brilliant for me here.
"But I’m not the only one. Luke Hyam has also come into the side and we seem to complement each other well in midfield. Hopefully it will continue to be the case.
"Right now, every single player is doing well. You could go through the whole team and there isn’t anyone who doesn’t deserve to be in there.
"We are all up for it and we like to prove to the management and the fans that we are worthy of our places.
"We have done really well to pull away from the bottom of the table and we have developed a winning mentality, which is what you need if you are going to be successful.
"The play-offs are being mentioned and the way we are playing at the moment I wouldn’t rule it out, although a lot of teams are fighting for the same thing.
"All the games in the Championship are a battle. Nobody gives you three easy points but at the moment we don’t fear anyone.”