Striker Sam Baldock says he's ready to fight for his first team place after returning to the Dons squad from England duty.

But the Cowshed favourite knows he's got plenty of competition to overcome if he's to break into Paul Ince's first-choice plans.

Champing at the bit ahead of Saturday's visit of Walsall, Baldock will be hoping to be unleashed on the Saddlers after three weeks away at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Following England's first round elimination, the 20-year-old front-man returned from Egypt to play a 30-minute cameo in Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over Southend at stadiummk.

But having only seen 60 minutes of action in the Three Lions' three group games against Uruguay, Ghana and Uzbekistan, the Dons youngster says he's hungry to get back on the pitch as soon as possible.

He told mkdons.com: "I thought I was unlucky not to start a couple of the games in Egypt, but I took a lot from the experience and I'm hoping to bring that into games here.

"I didn't feel out of place with players from Academies at Premier League clubs, I felt I was holding my own so that's given me a lot of confidence.

"It was nice to come back on Monday and go straight into a game the next night, I think that's the ideal situation for anyone. To be thrown straight back in was what I wanted and what I needed after three weeks away.

Sam made two substitute appearances for England at the Under-20 World Cup. Photo by Getty Images.

"It was a fairly open game on Tuesday so I was able to carry the ball a bit. The lads kept finding me in space so I did my best to try and exploit it."

After scoring 13 goals in 44 appearances for the Dons last term, the current campaign is a significant one for Baldock as he looks to build on his impressive reputation as a goalscorer.

And Sam is aware that competing against the likes of Jermaine Easter, Aaron Wilbraham and Jabo Ibehre for a place in the team means he will have to seize his chance when it arrives.

He said: "I built a bit of a reputation last season that I want to advance as much as I can. Not playing won't do that so, like everyone else, I want to be playing and I want to be scoring goals.

"I know I'll have to be patient. First of all I've got to work hard to get into the squad because we're going to have some good players not even able to get on the bench when everyone's fit. Then I've got to win a place in the team and then work hard to get amongst the goals.

"But I'm ready to work hard and ready to win my place back. We've got a big squad and a lot of competition for places all over the pitch. I don't think there's one player totally settled in his position, not looking over his shoulder and thinking his place is secure, so it should be good for the team."

Tickets for Saturday's League 1 clash with Walsall are on sale from the MK Dons Online Ticket Service, over the phone on 01908 622900, from the MK Dons Box Office at stadiummk and the Box Office on Crown Walk at thecentre:mk.

Club Dons members can get £5.00 off their tickets for this fixture, with Young Dons able to access a £3.00 discount.