By Chris O'Brien
July 1 2004

Cardiff City's latest acquisition Lee Bullock has admitted that it is unlikely he will start the season as a first-choice midfield player. However, the 23-year-old has vowed to fight for his place next term and is confident he has the ability to fight off competition.

Cardiff City's only summer signing to date, Lee Bullock, knows he is unlikely to be included in Lennie Lawrence's starting line-up when the 2004/2005 season gets under-way in August. However, the midfielder is confident that he can beat competition from a number of players to secure a regular slot in the Bluebirds midfield, despite most supporters seeing his place as amongst the substitutes.

"I know that players such as Graham Kavanagh and Willie Boland will probably be starting the season ahead of me in the pecking order," shrugged Bullock.

"I am capable of competing at this level though, and I feel I proved that during the loan spell. It's up to me to force myself into the first team."

The 23-year-old spent three-months on loan at Ninian Park during the back end of last season, and his record looks impressive on paper as he netted three goals in only ten appearances. However, harsher supporters voiced concerns that his contribution from midfield was minimal and it is considered a common theory that Bullock doesn't have what it takes to permanently play in the First Division.

Bullock commences pre-season training with the rest of the squad next week after completing a £75,000 move to Ninian Park. City boss Lennie Lawrence stalled on signing the former York City player permanently despite it being previously thought that Bullock would become a Bluebird on a full-time basis as soon as his loan deal ended. Competition from Hartlepool United Nottingham Forest meant the club couldn't hang around any longer, and Lawrence agreed terms with Bullock despite being on holiday in Spain.

Bullock may get a chance to impress Lawrence from the start of the game earlier than he thinks though. As we previously reported, Richard Langley could miss a couple of Football League games in August due to Jamaica's participation in World Cup qualification matches, whilst reports suggest that skipper Graham Kavanagh is not 100% certain to be fit for the start of next season, as he continues to struggle with a leg injury.