Alex Nicholls ready for competition

Alex Nicholls has hailed the power of Walsall's strike-force and backed them to fire the club to glory.

The Saddlers ace is determined to keep his place in the face of mounting competition.

Albion loan signing Reuben Reid bagged a debut winner in last weekend's 2-1 victory over Plymouth, while Jonathan Macken is waiting in the wings as he recovers from a calf injury.

But Nicholls, ahead of Saturday's trip to Brighton, has embraced the new competition.

He said: "Competition-wise for me and Darren Byfield, with respect to the young strikers here, there wasn't anyone who was putting loads of pressure on us to make us kick on.

"It is good for us that the gaffer has brought a couple of people in to keep us on our toes.

"In previous seasons it's been the other way around, I've been trying put pressure on Troy Deeney, Darren Byfield and Sam Parkin.

"It will make us progress and work a little bit harder."

Nicholls, who scored in the 2-1 win at Brentford, believes his form since missing a golden chance in the Carling Cup exit to Tranmere this month shows he is ready to fight for his place.

He said: "I should have done better and scored, but I've bounced back."