Chris Lines is looking to keep Stuart Campbell and Craig Disley on their toes this season in what he admits is a "make or break" year for him.

The Rovers midfielder came through 90 minutes unscathed in yesterday's 1-1 reserve draw against Plymouth Argyle as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained back in July.

Now Chris intends to keep stepping up his fitness work - and to continue knocking on the door for a first team chance.

"I missed seven or eight games in pre-season, I missed the Scotland trip, and I missed the big matches against West Brom and Plymouth," Chris told bristolrovers.co.uk.

"I came back from the summer having done all the running, and I was one of the fitter lads I thought. Then I played half an hour against Oxford and I was out for several weeks.

"During that time the young lads behind me have had games in pre-season, while I've had to do a lot of strengthening work on my knee to get it back up to strength.

"When I was playing against Oxford I just opened my knee up - it was something that's happened to me before. It wasn't as bad as last time, but now I've been making sure I've done the right work with the physios so as hopefully it doesn't happen again.

"When I came back a couple of weeks ago I still felt it for side volleys and certain moves, but I'm ok now and I'm progressing without any reaction with is the main thing.

"I'm just knuckling down and working hard, and trying to nail down that third choice midfield place. The sooner I'm back to that position the sooner I can be pushing Craig and Stuart, and then if they get injured, suspended or dip in form I can come in like I did last season.

"I've only got a contract until the end of this season, so I know that I have to prove that I'm worthy of an extension. It's been so disappointing to miss pre-season, but now I just want to keep playing in the reserves so as I'm ready to step in to the first team if needed."