Phil Parkinson acknowledged Luke Oliver as City’s stand-out performer last season – and then challenged him to step up a couple of notches.

The towering centre half was a worthy winner of the club’s player of the year crown in a campaign that was best forgotten by most.

Oliver made 46 appearances – the most in the team – and won over the fans who had been dubious about the Peter Taylor capture.

Having set his high standards, Parkinson now believes Oliver can still improve.

The arrival of Rory McArdle from Aberdeen following the permanent signing of Andrew Davies is guaranteed to keep the big man on his toes.

But Parkinson insists that places are very much up for grabs.

He said: “I’ve not planned who will start. The best two will play.

“Olly knows he’s going to have to fight for his place but it’s the same for McArdle and Davies.

“You have got to have that competition in a football club.

“It’s a long old season and you need that for places in all areas.

“Everybody is going to be needed, especially as there are a lot of midweek games right from the start of the year.”

Oliver penned a new two-year deal on Friday to end the speculation regarding his future. The longer the club waited for the Londoner’s agreement, the more it was felt he would take another offer in the south.

Parkinson added: “It’s taken a bit of time but it was just external complications. It wasn’t a case of Olly holding out for a bigger deal.

“He did well for us last year and I wanted him to sign and be part of it. But I honestly feel he can improve again and that’s what we’ll be looking for him to do.

“We brought Rory McArdle (pictured) in at a time when we weren’t sure if Olly was going to stay on not. If he had gone, we’d have got another centre half of equal standing.

“You need at least three or possibly even four.

“That’s the competition you want and I expect Olly to rise to that challenge.”