Defender Fabricio Coloccini feels 'nobody can afford to relax' in the battle for a place in the Newcastle back-line.
The Argentine centre-half has partnered Mike Williamson in the Newcastle defence so far, but with Sol Campbell close to full fitness and Steven Taylor set to return at the end of the month the battle for a place in the starting eleven at St Jame's Park is heating up.
Coloccini has welcomed the competition and the defender believes Campbell will prove to be a great signing.
"Sol has been a great signing for Newcastle," Coloccini told the Shields Gazette.
"All of the players we have signed are good for us, because they want to help the club, but they also keep up the fight for competition.
"Competition's good because it means that nobody can afford to relax.
"There are no longer automatic choices here."