Competition 'nothing new' for Regan Slater as he takes top flight in his stride

The 26-year-old has started all three of City's Premier League games this season and he's looked right at home in the world's toughest league amongst some of the best midfielders the sport has to offer.

It's a very different standard to League One, where Slater started his City career, but he has taken to every jump in level like a duck to water, particularly the latest one, with the Yorkshireman adapting to the Premier League almost instantly.

It's a good job, too, with City bringing in plenty of midfield reinforcements over the summer transfer window who will be keeping him on his toes. That's not an exaggeration either, City signed as many as six centre-midfielders over the summer, with Jens Hjerto-Dahl, Lucas Gourna-Douath, Hidemasa Morita, Christos Mouzakitis, Tim Iroegbunam and Oscar Zambrano all arriving at the club.

With the exception of Zambrano, who hasn't been registered, they're all pushing for one of two spots in the centre of the park and Slater is keeping them at bay. That's business as usual for the man who famously cost the club £50,000, though. In fact, he has been fighting off midfielder reinforcements throughout his time at the club and as he starts to close in on 250 appearances for the club, he looks capable of doing it again.

"It's nothing new. They've always brought in midfielders but they also bring in players for everywhere," Slater said after helping his side to a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. "It's just football, it's healthy competition.

"I think [the signings] get the best out of everyone really. The standard of training goes up when they bring in quality players and everyone has to be pushing to keep hold of their shirt.

"If they're not then they know that someone else is going to step in and do a job for the team. Everyone is on their toes and the standards are high."

On his start to the Premier League season in general, Slater added: "Not just me, I think all the lads have taken it in their stride and they're enjoying playing, enjoying the challenges and we're doing alright at the minute."

'Alright' is an understatement, with the City just two points off league leaders Manchester City right now. That start has been built by the team's defensive efforts with a back five, goalkeeper, and the midfield pair in front of them performing at the very top of their games.

"The three lads at the back are playing unbelievable stuff at the minute and dealing with everything that gets chucked at them but right through the XI, everyone is putting a shift in and we're tough to beat at the minute," he added.

"We probably built a lot on it last year. We've still got a good core from last year out on the pitch at the minute with some new additions and a few who have come straight into it who have taken it in their stride. I think we've picked up where we left off from last season."