HUGHES WELCOMES COMPETITION

Hughes - pleased with competition.

Falkirk manager John Hughes is confident his side can move off the bottom of the SPL because he has competition for places within the team.

Hughes points to the fact he had experienced first team players Lee Bullen, Partick Cregg and Burton O'Brien on the bench in midweek when they overcame first division outfit Queen of the South to reach the quarter-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

During the close season, Hughes was one of the busiest managers in the SPL, bringing in a mix of youth and experience to the side as they looked to build on last season's seventh-place finish.

Despite their start to the current campaign, Hughes is confident they have the quality in the squad to get out of their predicament.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's visit of Hamilton in the Clydesdale Bank SPL, he said: "There is real good competition for places because they are all coming back fit.

"I had the luxury the other night of having big Bully (Bullen), Patrick Cregg and Burton O'Brien on the bench.

"Competition for places is good and healthy.

"One or two of them have found themselves sitting on the bench but if you keep your head and keep working hard, they are good enough to play in my first team.

"If they are not, I think I am big enough and honest enough to tell them."

Meanwhile, Hughes has been handed three pieces of good news ahead of Saturday's visit of Hamilton after Russell Latapy, Dean Holden and Arnau Riera all returned to full training.

Long-term absentee Holden has been out since breaking his leg in a crunching tackle from Celtic defender Stephen McManus in January.

On loan Sunderland midfielder Riera has also rejoined the rest of the squad after suffering a knee injury during pre-season, while veteran playmaker Latapy is building up his fitness following an ankle problem that has sidelined him for over a month.

Hughes said: "It was nice to see three of them back training with the first team on Thursday morning.

"They didn't take part in all of the session but they took part in a good bit of it so it was nice to see them in with the boys again.

"It was a horrendous injury for Dean but it tells you the standing of the guy that he has got himself back."