Billy Bingham celebrates scoring the third Daggers goal in the 3-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday. Pic: Dave Simpson/TGS Photo

Daggers midfielder Billy Bingham back into starting XI but is up against competition in the middle of the park.

Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Billy Bingham may have come back into the starting XI for their 3-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, but the 22-year-old knows he faces stiff competition to keep his place.

Bingham, who signed a three-year contract extension with the Daggers in the summer, had been absent since the 2-2 draw at AFC Wimbledon in what he rated as a poor performance by his high standards.

But he was brought back by boss John Still and scored in the comfortable victory over managerless Wycombe.

However, with news that fellow midfielders Matthew Saunders and Kevin Maher are close to making a first team return, Bingham knows his search for a regular starting berth could be a difficult one.

“I want to consolidate my place in the team. We have got players coming back, so it is up to me to keep the place and do well,” he said.

“There are a few options in midfield, you have Abu who played at right-back on Saturday, and Matty Saunders and Kevin Maher who are back in training.

“I have got to keep working hard and it is up to me to do it now, because I am in there at the moment and hopefully I’ll keep it.”

The Welling-born midfielder had been disappointed with his performances before being dropped after the Wimbledon match, but believes that was the kickstart he needed.

“I didn’t do too well against AFC Wimbledon and I wanted to do better in my three other games as well,” admitted Bingham.

“I knew why I had been dropped and I wanted to do a lot better on Saturday. I still didn’t think I did as well as I can, but it is something to build on after having a couple of games out.

“When I came in I wanted to prove a point, but I felt I built it up a bit too much during the week. I was adamant to do well and I thought I tried too much at times and it didn’t work out, but scoring the goal always makes it better.

“It is frustrating watching on the sidelines, especially when we are just drawing and losing, there is nothing you can do.

“When I came out of the side we still did well, we were creating chances, but I got my chance again on Saturday and I just wanted to take it. Hopefully that can be the start of a good run for me.”

Bingham started for Daggers in the 1-1 draw at Port Vale on Tuesday night, before being replaced by Dwight Gayle on 77 minutes.

Daggers host Bradford City on Saturday, and Bingham hopes to further extend his run in the team.

“It has been a long time coming, but we can grow from these results and become stronger,” he added.