Boro new boy Stacy Long has admitted that the club s midfielders may have to get used to being rotated due to the wealth of options at manager Graham Westley s disposal. Competition looks set to be fierce in the middle of the park as Long and the likes o

Boro new boy Stacy Long has admitted that the club's midfielders may have to get used to being rotated due to the wealth of options at manager Graham Westley's disposal.

Competition looks set to be fierce in the middle of the park as Long and the likes of David Bridges, Joel Byrom, Darren Murphy and Michael Bostwick battle for a starting place.

With the amount of injuries and suspensions Boro suffered towards the end of the season, Westley was determined to use the summer transfer window to add more depth and variation to his squad and Long believes no-one can expect to be given a guaranteed starting place next season.

"It's a long, hard season in the Conference and you need a big squad," the 24-year-old told The Comet. "There are some quality players in midfield and I think we're all going to have to get used to being rotated as different games see you need different types of player.

"Everyone will have to understand that it's squad rotation for the right reasons. Everyone is obviously going to want to hold on to their shirt but that's the kind of competition that you need."

The fact that all of Boro's new additions have experience of playing in the Blue Square Premier means they will be expected to hit the ground running in stark comparison to last season.

Long hopes to settle quickly into his new surroundings as he links up with some of his former team-mates.

"I knew Bozzie (Bostwick) and he said what a great set of lads there are at Stevenage and I've also known Lawrie Wilson from my Charlton days.

"I know quite a few of them to say hello to so that should make it easier to settle in.