On-loan Notts County defender Jason Beardsley is relishing the challenge of playing first team football.

The 19-year-old told the club website: "It is good to be playing because I haven't had many chances at Derby.

"I always felt I had it in me to play in the league, so to come here and be able to do that is fantastic."

Beardsley says he wants to get the season started with a win at Luton on Saturday as the Magpies have only got one point from their first two matches.

"It was a good point against Darlington at the weekend," added Beardsley. "And we know we should have got more at Bradford, so it is now time to get those first three points."

After turning pro with Derby in July 2007, Beardsley had just one first team chance with the Rams last season when then boss Billy Davies picked him for an early season Carling Cup game.

But the nearest he has got to figuring under Paul Jewell was when he made the bench for a Premier League game in March.

He has played all three games so far for the Magpies, including last week's extra-time Carling Cup win over Doncaster Rovers.