Everton boss David Moyes believes their injury crisis has worked in the club's favour.
While the loss of stars such as Marouane Fellaini, Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill has stripped them to the bones, it has also opened the door for rookies like Apostolos Vellios and Magaye Gueye.
Now Moyes reckons his first-choice stars have some genuine competition at last - and he is loving it.
He said: "When the big hitters come back, there are one or two who might frighten them more than before - so we will try and bring those boys on.
"It might not be a foregone conclusion for people to be No 1. We need that competition and the young lads have helped that."
