Competition should be strong

Competition for starting places should be strong if manager John Sheridan's team can remain injury free. He told Latics World, "There should be plenty of competition with the new faces coming in and some of the more experienced lads coming back from long-term injury. Everyone is training very well and running very hard at the moment, so I'm pleased with the way things are going so far. I will have to make some difficult decisions if everyone stays fit."

We've got more depth for sure, but the main thing is keeping everyone fit and we'll need a bit of luck if we're to do that. I want those who aren't in the team to be pushing those that are to make sure the players who are on the pitch are performing to a high level regularly. The young lads - people like Kieran Lee and Dale Stephens - will be keen to be involved and I hope they can continue improving as players and force me to put them in the team."

The first-team squad currently stands at 23 and Sheridan wants top bring in two more new faces before the big kick off. There is also the loan market to explore.