Increased competition will help aid our cause, according to coach Wally Downes.

Marek Matejovsky and Jimmy Kebe are beginning to make their mark on our first team squad, and both played in our game at Everton on Saturday.

In addition, Ibrahima Sonko was back from Cup Of Nations duty, while Andre Bikey and Emerse Fae will also be in contention when we face Aston Villa in our next game.

Michael Duberry and Brynjar Gunnarsson are also hoping to speed up their recoveries from injury, so the squad is becoming stronger.

Wally said, "At any club you need competition for places.

"As a player, when you see new faces coming in you try to be better than them to secure your place in the team and the newboys have to lift their game to try and get into the side. So it's always a healthy thing."

Kebe came close to scoring at Goodison just moments after coming on, and Wally is hoping for good things from him.

He said, "We've had a look at him in training, and the attempt he had on Saturday was a little bright spot for us.

"It would have been great for himself and the Club if he'd stuck it in the net, but he did well.

"Marek has done really well and we're looking forward to seeing him get the best out of himself."