CHEY Dunkley is unfazed about the prospect of battling with three more experienced centre halves to get into the Oxford United side.

The 22-year-old’s arrival from Kidderminster Harriers has increased the competition in the heart of defence, where skipper Jake Wright and Johnny Mullins are the first-choice pairing, with Michael Raynes providing the back-up.

Dunkley is less experienced than all three, but United’s willingness to pay a fee for him when the loan move becomes permanent in January suggests he is seen as more than just providing defensive cover.

After playing in back-to-back away wins, Wright and Mullins are likely to keep their place for tomorrow’s home game against AFC Wimbledon.

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But while the Wolverhampton-born defender has been given no guarantees by United about playing time, he is confidence his ability will catch the eye.

“All I can do is work hard on the training field and in the gym and if I’m fortunate enough I’ll get into the side,” he said.

“Competition is healthy for the team and it pushes those who are in the starting XI to work hard. If they’re doing that we’ll get the results.

“I’m not fazed about any competition, I’ve got to believe in myself and hopefully if I do well on the training field the gaffer will give me that opportunity.”

He added: “The gaffer will know when it’s the right time to introduce me, whether it’s this Saturday or in the weeks to come.

“The main thing is to get results and get up the league, it’s not the Chey Dunkley Show.

“We’re trying to get into League One, that’s the aim and I just need to work hard in training.”

The move to United ended a long wait for Dunkley to make a Football League return.

A trainee in Crewe Alexandra’s renowned youth system, he was released without making a senior debut.

It forced a drop down to play at Hednesford Town, from where he was picked up by Kidderminster.

Despite not being the ideal route, Dunkley believes the regular football has been the key to keeping his career on track.

He said: “I was fortunate to play week-in week-out, so it does help because I was playing.

“I could have easily been one of those players who went into non-league and not really got many games. Then you’re not in the shop window.

“It has been hard to get back into the league, but I think I’ve done well and hopefully this is where it starts.

“I’m not going to stop and think ‘I’ve made it’.

“I’ve got to make sure I work hard and that’s the main thing.”

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