The Chester City central midfielder has seen the Blues secure three new players who can play in his position.

But the 24-year-old Northern Ireland-born player doesn't fear the competition expected from Anthony Barry, David Mannix, and Jay Harris.

Hughes said: "There is a lot more competition for central midfield places than there was last season when we had experienced players like Tony Dinning and Tony Grant in the squad.

"To be perfectly honest, we need midfielders, so I'm glad that the signings have been made and I'm now looking forward to the competition.

"We'll all definitely be wanting to make up for the disappointment of what happened last season - we were flying after our first 25 games, but then we were really disappointing after Christmas.

"I think we just have to put that bad experience to the back of our minds and just kick-on.

"We need a really good start like we had last season and then I think we'll be okay.

"Taking chances is what it's all about, but we were losing by just the odd goal and there really wasn't too much wrong."

Hughes revealed he had enjoyed a three week break before returning to the Blues' first day back earlier this week.

He has two caps under his belt for Northern Ireland, commencing his career at Tottenham Hotspur in 2001 as a trainee and going on to spend four years at White Hart Lane before being sent out for a brief spell on loan at Northampton Town where he made three appearances.

After returning to Spurs, he was sent out initially on loan to Oldham Athletic in November 2004, but this became a permanent arrangement the following July. Hughes went on to make 70 outings for the Latics before moving to Thurrock in July 2006.

A return to the Football League followed in November 2006 when he arrived on loan at Saltergate and after just three appearances he moved to Blue Square side, Stevenage Borough, in January 2007. He spent the remainder of the season with Stevenage before being released, and then joined Chester at the beginning of last season after a trial.

Hughes said: "Players don't really enjoy going back to pre-season training after a break, but after the first week is over I don't really mind.

"I'm looking forward to getting myself fit and then I'll be looking forward to our games.

"I've been trying to build up my fitness again after doing no training for three weeks. I visited the gym a few times so hopefully I'm not in bad shape - if I am I'll soon be found out!

"I'm looking to get a base of fitness this week before starting to sharpen myself up and then getting 90 minutes under my belt before our first game."