DARRELL Clarke says he has ‘five top centre halves’ and there is plenty of competition for the back three following the return from injury of Josh Earl and Marc Roberts.
Earl has started the last two games while Roberts came off the bench in the most recent fixture. They both missed about a month with injuries sustained early in December.
Donovan Pines and Conor McCarthy impressed in their absence.
Clarke told the Chronicle: “It’s really good.
“I think I have five top centre halves – Pinesy, Robbo, Early, Mael (de Gevigney), Connor McCarthy.
“You need that at the top end of this division. All of them are staking a claim which is what we want.
“It’s similar to our midfield with Kelechi (Nwakali), Luca (Connell), Phillo (Adam Phillips) and Jon Russell all on tremendous form.
“Competition is really good in certain areas of the pitch.”
Wing-back Barry Cotter remains sidelined with an injury while young striker Fabio Jalo is out long-term.
