Boss Dave Artell is pleased with the competition for places in his squad, with spots in the starting XI hotly contested.

The Alex Manager is happy with the additions to the squad in January to start off the strengthening process, and with key players returning from injury, the competition can only be a good thing for the fixtures in the run-in.

Artell said: “Me and Kenny have spoken and we said, probably for the first time all season, we feel as though we’ve actually got a squad that are competitive for places, despite the injuries thrown at us.

“Importantly, you can turn and look at the bench and you go, right, actually that could change games for you. That’s the way it is.

“Looking at the bigger picture, I’m not quite sure we got that fully right in the summer, but then injuries dealt us a cruel hand too.

“With players slowly starting to return to us now, and the performances being good, the competition should keep everyone on their toes and performing well.”