Adam Clayton is setting his sights on a place in the vacancy in the Leeds United midfield this season.

The 22-year-old joined the club last summer from Manchester City, but despite making two substitute appearances and having two loan spells in League One, he is still seeking his first start in a Leeds.

Simon Grayson has spoken highly of Clayton - citing him as "one for the future" when he signed 10 months ago - and with Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson departing, the youngster is hoping to challenge for a midfield berth.

"Last season was quite frustrating, but I signed a deal where I knew I had time here," he said.

"Hopefully this season I'll get my fitness levels up and get playing how I was at the end of last season, get in the side and play regularly.

"It doesn't matter to me who comes in. I think I'm good enough to challenge to get in the side.

"I know the manager and staff think I'm a good player otherwise they wouldn't have signed me, so it's about me playing my game and hopefully that can get me in the side and I can help Leeds play well."

Last season was something of a learning experience for Adam. He made eight appearances at Peterborough, and eight for MK Dons, ironically playing a key role as the latter progressed to meet the former in the League One Play-Offs.

Adam's MK side beat Peterborough in the first leg, but the result was reversed in the second leg, and he suffered Play-Off semi-final heartbreak at the very first time of asking.

"It was a good experience and I can only learn from it," he said. "It was disappointing to finish that way, especially after the first game, but things like that happen.

"I think I'm physically ready to play in this league so hopefully I will get a chance, and hopefully I can take it."

Having been back in training for over a week now, attentions are turning towards the training camp in Scotland and the first game of the summer, against Falkirk on Wednesday.

That is the first of six pre-season games for the senior squad as the countdown continues towards the season opener at Southampton on Saturday August 6 (5.20pm).

"The first game comes very quickly," said Adam. "Hopefully we can all be ready and be flying when we start.

"Pre-season is all about getting yourself prepared for what you're going to come up against. There's some good teams come down and some good ones come up. It will be tough but I think they'll we keep progressing and pushing and be around there.

"We came close last season, and hopefully if we can have another good unbeaten run there's no reason why we can't go up.

"I'm looking forward to going to Scotland now and getting the games started. Hopefully I can play well in the pre-season games, catch the gaffer's eye and get in the team for the first game of the season."

See more from United's pre-season training...