BEN Richards-Everton is hoping to give Stuart McCall a selection headache for City’s heavy workload.

The big centre half is eager to play a full part in the “absolutely crazy” League Two schedule they now face.

Paudie O’Connor was back on the bench for the draw with Walsall following his suspension and Reece Staunton should not be out for much longer after turning his ankle.

But Richards-Everton is eager to hang on to the shirt after starting City’s last two games.

He said: “There is a lot of competition for places and that can only be healthy for the team.

“Like the gaffer says, we’ve got lots of bodies now. We’ve probably got two sets of teams we can put out.

“It gives the manager a big headache –not only picking the team but the bench as well out of the X amount of personnel we’ve got at the moment.”

“I was disappointed that I didn’t start the season. But if you’re basing it on pre-season, I was a bit sloppy in some of the games.

“I had to bide my time and rightly so and it’s just about taking the chance when you get called upon. Hopefully, I can keep doing that.”

McCall kicked off the campaign playing three centre halves at the back but Richards-Everton found himself down the pecking order.

His chance came after both O’Connors were red-carded at Forest Green, although he was subbed at half-time during the Lincoln rout in the Carabao Cup.

“I’ve just tried to keep training well and be ready so that when I’m called upon, I can do a good job for the team,” added Richards-Everton.

“I think we’ve defended well last two games. I’ve played with Ant (Anthony O’Connor) a lot of times over last season as well and we know how each other plays.

“We’ve definitely had a lot to do against big opposition up front.

“The other night again the two strikers were 6ft 3in and 6ft 4in – there was a lot of heading to do. But in the main, I thought we defended a lot better as a team.

“It was disappointing with the goal. It was a good strike but he maybe got too much time to shoot.”

George Nurse’s long-range blast for Walsall was cancelled out by Billy Clarke’s penalty and Richards-Everton agreed with McCall that City could have gone on to win.

“We were disappointed not to get the three points based on the second-half performance and the chances we created. But it’s a point in the right direction.

"We just need to build on it because there are a lot of games coming thick and fast.

“It’s absolutely crazy now but that’s what it is and every team are in the same situation.

“There is a lot of personnel and everybody’s ready to step in, so there is competition for places all over the park.

“The gaffer is going to have to utilise everyone in the squad. I’m ready if he picks me for the Newport game on Saturday, if not I’ll keep working hard and try to give him a headache.”

City expect to know more today about Bryce Hosannah after an x-ray on the toe injury that meant he had to come off at half-time. Staunton and Zeli Ismail are both hoping to join in with training again in the build-up to the second-placed Exiles.