FAR from fearing the arrival of more competition, Scunthorpe United defender Ben Gordon sees it as an opportunity to add another string to his bow.

Marcus Williams returned to Glanford Park on loan last week ready to stake a claim for his old left-back spot.

His switch from Reading could see Gordon being shunted further forward into a left midfield role, a position he occupied for the Iron at Ipswich just before the international break.

It is something the Chelsea man insists he is happy to do.

"As a left-back I like to get forward, that's one of my strengths," said Gordon.

"I like joining in with the attacks, so left midfield is just a position higher where I can join in more and get forward more.

"Obviously we didn't get much joy with the ball at Ipswich, so it was quite a lot of work off the ball.

"But the manager (caretaker boss Tony Daws) pulled me aside and said he can see me playing there if needed.

"Marcus has been here before so he knows the place, which is good for the club.

"If it's me or if it's both of us down that left-hand side, I'm just glad to get a chance and show everyone we can attack more down there."

Despite United's perilous position in the table and the managerial upheaval of the last few weeks, Gordon continues to enjoy his time at Scunthorpe.

"It's a different experience," added the 20-year-old. "I've never been to a place where you have to battle and grind results out.

"You learn a different side of the game.

"At Chelsea it's totally different, even up in Scotland, it's a different type of game to here.

"It will help me for the future because you never know where you're going to end up.

"You've just got to play for your future in every game."