Having broken into the Chester FC first team last season as an 18-year-old, Sam Hughes is ready to stake his claim for a starting berth this season.

Hughes made 19 appearances for the Blues last season, including 12 consecutive starts, and signed a new deal in March after a series of impressive displays.

The midfielder, who can also operate at centre back, has continued his good form into this pre-season campaign with Chester and has set his sights on a place in the starting line-up for the Blues when they begin their National League campaign at Gateshead on August 6.

“It was always good last season being 18 and getting that experience, I didn’t really expect that. I think I started 12 games,” said Hughes, who hails from the Wirral.

“This is a difficult league, very difficult, especially coming in as a young lad.

“I always speak to the likes of Matty [Waters] and Kieran [Evans] and tell them. But I still have a lot to learn myself and a lot to work on in my game, as has every player.

“But now I want to just kick on and come the first game of the season I just want to be in the starting XI. If not then I’ll keep pushing all the way until I do.”

Chester FC 8 Aldershot Town 2: Sam Hughes peels off after scoring his second
Chester FC 8 Aldershot Town 2: Sam Hughes peels off after scoring his second

After making his league debut against Tranmere Rovers in September, Hughes spent some time on loan at Witton Albion before returning to force his way into the Chester squad towards the end of the campaign.

Tall and strong in build, Hughes has all the physical attributes needed for a centre back, a position that he has been deployed in by Chester boss Jon McCarthy during the pre-season campaign.

And Hughes, who admits his preferred role is in the centre of midfield, is ready to listen to the advice of McCarthy and assistant Ian Sharps, a centre back who enjoyed a long and successful Football League career, and is keen to nail down a permanent position for himself to allow him to progress.

“Personally I would like to nail down one position and focus on that one position and learn more because being young you have always got a lot to learn,” said Hughes, who scored his first goals for Chester in the 8-2 demolition of Aldershot Town last season.

“I think having that one position can help you focus on what you want to achieve but, at the same time, I don’t mind being able to play centre midfield or centre back because it is good to get knowledge in both positions. It’s something that I’ll have under my belt.

“I’ll take the gaffer and Sharpy’s [Ian Sharps] advice on where they think I should play and what is the best position for me.

“Personally if I was to pick I would choose centre midfield but if it was to be centre half then that is fine with me. I will learn to play centre half.”