Bridge adjusts to his new life in fast lane

After making a club record 113 successive appearances for Southampton, Bridge is used to the demands of playing week-in week-out, but insists he is facing a fight for his place.

He said: "There's a good chance that I might not play every game and I'm prepared for that.

"It'll be difficult after playing every week for Southampton but it's something I've thought about.

"If I want to move on then I'll have to put up with it. There's going to be a fight for my place but I'll keep my head down and train hard. If Chelsea go far in a lot of competitions then no one's going to play in every game. I'll just do the best I can."

Bridge is excited about being part of a team of superstars at Chelsea but found it a wrench to leave Southampton.

As a local lad he has supported the club all his life, idolising Rod Wallace and Matt Le Tissier from the cramped terraces at The Dell, and asks for their result as soon as he returns to the dressing room.

After hearing of Chelsea's interest he spent an anxious week discussing the move with family and friends. Though the increase in wages and exposure had their own appeal, Bridge insists that it was the prospect of a new challenge he found impossible to resist.

He said: "The main reason to come here was that it's clearly a step up.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance and may not come again. I talked about it with my family and we decided it was a step in the right direction.

"It wasn't an easy move but I hope everyone can respect why I decided to leave. I'd hope to get a good welcome back at Southampton and would be disappointed if I didn't. I'll still look for the Saints score after every game, but Chelsea are my team now."

Attempting new challenges can be a rewarding experience and Bridge hopes that playing on the bigger stage of Stamford Bridge will enhance his England prospects.

The former Southampton star accepts he is behind Ashley Cole in the pecking order, replacing him for the last half-hour of Wednesday's 3-1 win over Croatia, but believes the pair can operate in tandem down the left-hand side.

He said: "I'm hoping to come to Chelsea and become a better player which should enhance my England chances. Ashley's in front of me at the moment and I want to push him as hard as I can. He's done very well but I should get a lot of experience at Chelsea and push him close.

"I played in midfield at St Mary's against Macedonia and did pretty well. I thought we worked well together and would love to get that chance again. I'd be happy to play anywhere for England."

Filling a trophy cabinet currently containing an unwanted FA Cup runnersup medal is also a distinct possibility.

Bridge added: "I don't want to make too many predictions but the squad's good enough to win some trophies. I had a great FA Cup run with Southampton last season but I want to win something this year.

"I think we'll be in the top four, battling for the title and for as many cups as possible. I've got a great opportunity to win some medals."

Meanwhile, Leicester manager Micky Adams refuses to brood over the gulf in funds with their opponents. Cash is in shorter supply at Leicester, who are only six months out of administration and two months out of the First Division.

He said: "I can't imagine what the expectation is like for Claudio Ranieri, I can't know because I have never had any money to spend.

"The most I have ever spent on a player was £200,000 getting Paul Moody from Millwall when I was manager of Fulham back in 1997 so clearly there is a vast difference between Chelsea and ourselves.

"But I am not envious because I am here at Leicester City and I understand how my cloth has been cut so I get on with it."