Doncaster Rovers midfielder Owen Bailey determined to stay out of his comfort zone

Last season was the former Gateshead midfielder's first in the Football League, out to impress on a 12-month deal.

The 25-year-old was an ever-present in last season's League Two – an increasingly rare feat for an outfielder in these days of squad rotation – and was rewarded with a new deal, as well as wearing the captain's armband in the absence of Richard Wood in pre-season.

But Bailey is determined not to rest on his laurels, just as manager Grant McCann is anxious to build a squad which does not allow him or anyone else to do that.

“It's important not to get comfortable,” said the Newcastle United academy product. “It would be easy to think, 'I'm here for three years, I can relax and take my foot off the pedal' but I've been really on myself to not do that. I need to try and raise my levels again and bring a better version of me than I did last year.

“There's a lot of competition and I think that's only going to be a good thing.

“Everyone's going to raise their standards and you know if you're not firing on all cylinders there's someone ready to take your place. It's not a fear thing but it's something to keep you honest and it can only bring the best out of the team.

“There's a lot of quality there and everyone will be wanting to play so the dynamic's going to be good.”

Bailey is also becoming more flexible as a player, allowed to get forward more in pre-season by George Broadbent taking on greater defensive responsibilities.

“Broady's naturally been playing in the No 8 (box-to-box midfielder) position,” said Bailey of his colleague's debut campaign at Doncaster. “When I played against him in the National League he was a powerful runner breaking into the box and scoring goals himself. Technically he's unbelievable, he handles the ball really well.

“Getting George on the ball and getting him turned lets him show his range of passing and his different technical abilities. That allows me to pull wide and create that little partnership with Jamie (Sterry) and Luke (Molyneux) and break into the box and score goals.

“But I think we're quite fluid with it. George was mainly deeper at times in pre-season but we said if George wanted to run into space and I come in, we can rotate it.”

Rovers have also seen a new side to Kyle Hurst, playing behind the strikers rather than on the wing.

“He's a player who didn't have the best of luck last season with injuries and stuff and when he was playing he would miss a game or something, there would always be some kind of obstacle,” said Bailey.

“Playing and training up close with him you know the quality he's got and I'm just buzzing that he's showing it. Hopefully that'll continue.

“He's scored some really good goals in pre-season and he's flying.”

Doncaster start their League Two campaign at home to Accrington Stanley on Saturday.