SIMON Charity wants to keep last season's top scorer Matt Rawlins kicking his heels on the bench as he continues to hold down a starting spot on the right of the Bluebirds midfield.

The long-serving utility man made his first start of the season in a 1-0 win at Tamworth last month and has started the last six matches, in which the Bluebirds have only tasted defeat once.

While Rawlins' omission from the starting line-up for all but one of those matches has raised eyebrows in some quarters, Charity has grabbed his big chance for an extended run in the team with both hands.

He said: "It was frustrating doing the whole of pre-season and then not playing in the first few games, but I knew if I got my chance I would do my best to keep my shirt.

"That's what a squad is all about. If players aren't performing to the best of their ability, then there are other players who can come in and do a job.

"I got my chance up at Tamworth and didn't really take Matt's position because we went to a different system.

"Since we won there we have gone on a bit of a run and Tom has decided to keep the same sort of team. Hopefully it will continue.''