Sunderland star Stephane Sessegnon believes Lee Cattermole and David Vaughan will have a fight on their hands to reclaim their places.
The midfield duo are currently sidelined through injury but replacements Jack Colback and Craig Gardner have excelled in their absence and Sessegnon thinks it will be hard for manager Martin O'Neill to leave them out upon their return to fitness.
Colback and Gardner have held down the central roles for the Black Cats last three games and Sessegnon is convinced the pair have made the most of their opportunities by helping O'Neill's men continue their rise up the Premier League table.
"Jack and Craig always work very hard for the team and are important for the forward players," he told the Evening Chronicle.
"Defensively they have been really good for us in closing down the opposition players and tackling hard.
"But also they are both contributing going forward. They are good passers and are a goal threat too.
"Jack scored a great goal at Middlesbrough and Craig has got a few for us this season as well. They are players who have a lot of spirit and can continue to improve because they have the right mentality to win games."
The Benin striker has also played down fears he is considering quitting the club despite speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal or his former club Partis St Germain.
Sessegnon has been in great form of late, having netted four times in his last nine games, and the 27-year-old insists he couldn't be happier.
He added: "It's great the support there is at this football club, it has given me great pleasure to keep winning for them."