DANNY Graham insists he still doesn’t feel as if he has nailed down his spot in the Rovers team such is the competition for places at Ewood Park.

Graham has started six consecutive league games for Rovers but the addition of Adam Armstrong on loan from Newcastle adds further competition in the forward areas, with Dominic Samuel having been used in a wide right role of late.

And while pleased to be playing his part in Rovers’ long unbeaten league run, Graham isn’t taking his place in the team for granted.

“Every time (the manager) names the team I’m sweating to make sure I’m in the starting XI,” the 32-year-old said. “I feel as though over the last few weeks I’ve done well, scored some goals and set up some goals if I haven’t scored myself.

“Hopefully I can nail it down but as I’ve said before it’s about the team, it’s not about me leading the line and if it’s Dom or Arma (Armstrong) starting up front I will be wishing them luck and hope they get a goal to help the team win the match.

“He (Armstrong) has come on on the left and he’s (Tony Mowbray) got that option of playing him left, right and number 10 so he can play a number of positions.

“Jack (Payne) has come in and can do that in behind the forwards so everyone is on their toes, there’s competition for Del (Derrick Williams) and all over the team which is what we need.”

Mowbray said earlier this month that Graham is fitter now than he has been since the boss arrived at the club in February and cited that as a contributory factory in his run of starts.

But Graham, speaking at Avondale Primary School as part of Rovers’ ongoing work in the community, believes the amount of minutes he has been getting of late have played a key role.

He added: “A run of games helps. Before this run of games I had only started two games in a row under the manager so as a footballer if you get a run of games in you then you feel better about yourself.

“You feel sharper and more up to match speed so that’s been the case in recent weeks.

“You can do all the running you want when you’re not in the team but nothing beats match practice and games so for me to have this run I feel as if I’ve benefited from it and hopefully the team has as well.”

Graham came up with an assist for Bradley Dack’s opener in the win at Fleetwood Town, a goal which helped Rovers move into the automatic promotion spots for the first time this season.

The pair have gained a strong understanding of late and Graham added: “We’ve worked a lot on that recently.

“I feel as though we have a good relationship me and Brad, on and off the park.

“He’s come into the football club and done ever so well and he’s a joy to have in the team.

“But everyone has been tremendous over the last 16 games and long may it continue.”

Rovers return to Ewood Park this weekend to host a Northampton Town side who they drew 1-1 with on December 23.

Graham has five goals in his last six appearances at Ewood, including the crucial second in the victory over Shrewsbury Town on December 13.

“Let’s just keep playing at Ewood,” he said when asked about his scoring statistic.

“It doesn’t matter where I score, whether it’s at Ewood at not, I don’t take too much notice.

“It’s about picking up points and closing gaps on Wigan above us and if we can do that then I’ll be happy.”