ADAM Thompson is relishing the prospect of a run in the City team after breaking into Stuart McCall's plans.

Centre half Thompson made his first start in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Oldham – and with a reshuffle likely following Adam Chicksen's thigh injury, the on-loan Bury defender will keep his place in the back four against Charlton this weekend.

The Northern Ireland international had seen his chances limited by the form of Nathaniel Knight-Percival and Matt Kilgallon in the middle.

But McCall gave Kilgallon a break in midweek, allowing Thompson to get his first proper run-out.

Thompson said: "I have had to be patient. I am not deluded and like to think I'm quite level-headed. I can see what is going on and the defence had been doing really well.

"I had no right to say 'I want to start'. But obviously I got my chance against Oldham and worked hard for the team.

"We limited their chances and hopefully I can get more games soon and do my bit for the team."

Thompson had previously made just two substitute appearances. He had been unavailable for the last couple of games because of international duty and then being ineligible against his parent club.

McCall said: "I don't think Thommo has had a full game since pre-season, or at least right at the start with Bury.

"Naturally he was going to be a little bit rusty at times. But I thought he did fine against two tough opponents who've got a lot of goals between them."

Thompson had a good battle with Oldham frontmen Eoin Doyle and Craig Davies and was not too downbeat to settle for a draw.

On Tuesday's evidence, he reckons the Latics are far stronger opposition than their current spot two points above the relegation zone suggests.

Thompson said: "They are a good team and completely different to what Oldham were like at the start of the season. They are in a false position, having won their last four before facing us.

"Oldham are a team in form and maybe we will look back in a month's time and see this as a good point when they are in a much better position.

"It was a bit of a frantic game, especially in the second half. Maybe their game management was good, as they wanted to make niggly fouls and slow the game down a bit.

"Credit to them for that, as they probably got what they wanted, but I felt we kept pushing and had our chances."

City's result was one of eight draws in League One – leaders Shrewsbury were the only winners among the leading pack. McCall's men are still third going into Charlton's visit.

Thompson said: "We didn't lose much ground and that is good for us. We are up there, which is where we want to be. Maybe we can close that gap on the top two and that is our target.

"But we reacted well to losing last week and now we need another reaction on Saturday against another team up near us."