Ipswich Town skipper Sam Morsy says all the added competition for starting places in the squad is a good thing - but he's not planning on losing his spot.

The Blues signed two more players over the weekend, with the arrival of left winger Jack Clarke and right-sided centre-back Dara O'Shea making it 11 signings this summer.

Boss Kieran McKenna has often spoken of his desire to have two players competing in every position, and he's now signed a new face in every role this summer.

In midfield, while Morsy and Massimo Luongo have started both games so far this season, Town have added England international Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City and Swedish star Jens Cajuste from Napoli, also on loan.

With Jack Taylor also seeing action off the bench in both matches so far, that's five players fighting for two spots. 

Sam Morsy battles with Kevin de Bruyne at the Etihad on SaturdaySam Morsy battles with Kevin de Bruyne at the Etihad on Saturday (Image: PA)
And Morsy, an ever-present in the side which has climbed from League One to the top tier in just two seasons, insisted that is a good thing.

"Yeah, you need that," Town's skipper said. "The midfield unit is really strong now, which is what we want – we’re going to push each other and ultimately the best players end up playing, so it’s great competition and that’s what we need.

“You need that in every area of the pitch, which the club are trying to do and it’s a long season, we have to keep pushing each other – iron sharpens iron.”

So, does the extra competition for places in the engine room mean that even Morsy - a man who generally only misses games due to suspension - could lose his place?

England international Kalvin Phillips will be competing for a starting spot in midfieldEngland international Kalvin Phillips will be competing for a starting spot in midfield (Image: ITFC/Matchday Images)
“I hope not!" he laughed. "But obviously every player should have that mentality – unfortunately, only 11 can play and only a couple can come on, so it’s going to change.

“That’s why every player has to respect the shirt and give everything they’ve got and when you’re not in the team work hard, push your team-mates, be a good team-mate and work on your craft.

“And that’s how we go, it’s a long, long slog – a nine, ten month season with loads of ups and downs and loads of ins, outs and injuries, suspension, illness, whatever you want to call it.

“So we have to stick together and keep improving.”