MARKUS Olsson may have been Blackburn Rovers’ player of the year in 2014/15, but the Swede says his place in the team is not guaranteed this season.

Olsson capitalised on an injury to left back Tommy Spurr to become a regular in the Rovers defence last term, impressing hugely to become the club’s player of the season after a string of confident displays.

The 27-year-old is expected to start the 2015/16 campaign at left back, having kept the position when Spurr returned from injury at the end of last season.

Olsson, who can also play in midfield, got the nod in the position ahead of Spurr for Rovers’ final friendly against Wigan.

But he knows his place in the team is not safe, despite last season’s form.

He said: “There is competition in every position and I try to work hard to show the manager I want to play every game because nobody has a safe spot in the team.

“I need to show the manager I want to play.”

Olsson was happy with his form last season and wants to match those standards and improve even further during 2015/16.

“I try to work hard every training and try to improve myself every day in training and in games as well,” he said.

“I try to do my best. I played a lot of games last season and got the chance as well at the end of the season before.

“I want to continue and keep improving, I work hard in training and try to improve my game every day.”

Olsson is feeling optimistic about the new season, which starts at home to Wolves tomorrow.

The full back was impressed with the form of some of Rovers’ young players in pre-season.

He said: “The young boys came in and got their chance.

“It was good to give them a go to see how the first team plays in case anyone gets a chance during the season.”