Leon Osborne can look around the City squad and declare: I’m one of you now.

After a couple of seasons stuck on the fringes, the youngster finally feels that he is very much in the plans for the new campaign.

Osborne’s confidence is borne out by the five-match run Peter Taylor gave him at the end of last term – and the two-year contract that followed it.

“It’s a nice change for me. I’m used to having six-month contracts or just a year,” said the 20-year-old, who scored the opening goal in last night’s 4-0 win at Stambridge United.

“It’s quite a secure feeling to have two years behind me now and filled me with a lot of confidence.

“It was a brilliant end of season for me to get that experience of starting games and I certainly got a few nerves out of the system.

“The gaffer said he is very much including me as part of the first team now, rather than as a fringe player.

“It gave me something more to think about while I was off. I want to put that bit more extra into pre-season, knowing that I’m a first-team player now.

“I need to fight harder for my place, rather than just thinking I might be on the bench.”

Playing the same role on the left wing as Taylor once did has guaranteed plenty of advice from his manager.

Osborne, who had previously started just three times under Stuart McCall, admits the help from the top has been invaluable.

“I’ve grown in confidence the more I’ve played there and the more he has spoken to me about it,” he said.

“He’s had a bit of one-to-one with me and said he will keep helping me throughout the season. He helps me with where I should be at certain times and what runs to make.”

Osborne is enjoying the rush of pre-season matches which continue with tonight’s trip to Canvey Island.

He said: “Playing lots of games is nothing we won’t be able to cope with. The lads always look forward to playing rather than just training every day.

“These games are important because you’ve got to put your foot down early on and maintain it. There are people coming in all the time, so you’ve got to keep pushing forward.”