Darren Baker insists being dropped could help him extend his Eastbourne Borough career.

Baker has been a virtual ever-present in the Borough side for the last 17 years but has found himself on the bench for the previous two Blue Square premier games.

The 34-year-old began the campaign alongside Marc Pullan in the centre of defence but has since lost his place to summer signing Gary Elphick.

Baker replaced Elphick in the closing stages of last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Barrow to take his total appearances for Borough to 831 but knows he faces a fight if he is to add to that staggering tally.

However, the 34-year-old said: “On quite a few occasions last year Pullers and myself had to play through niggles because we didn’t really have any other options.

“It is much better now because we have competition for places and if someone has an injury or is suffering a dip in form he can sit out for a bit and then come back fully fit and refreshed.

“Ideally you want to play in every game but that is not going to happen. It is impossible to maintain your standard at this level for 46 league games.

“A few years ago I would have been more anxious about losing my place but I look at it more positively now. I was gutted when I was dropped for a couple of games last season but now I am more understanding.

“I’d like to think I have got a few more years left in me yet. Fitness wise I feel good so it is just a matter of staying at this level and not playing in every game may help me achieve that.”

Baker is not the only casualty of manager Garry Wilson’s recruitment drive over the summer which saw seven new faces bolster the squad.

Striker Nathan Crabb has yet to even make the bench for a league game while Matt Smart, Liam Enver-Marum, Michael Jordan and Dan Smith were all among the substitutes against Barrow.

FULL STORY IN TODAY'S ARGUS