PAT Kanyuka has warned pal Jerel Ifil that he has a battle on his hands to regain a spot at the heart of Town's defence, and believes that healthy competition can only be good for any potential County Ground promotion push.

The 20-year-old arrived in Wiltshire in January following his release from QPR, and made his debut a week later in the 1-0 win away at Luton.

However, a nasty head wound picked up in that game, which required six stitches, meant the big Congolese defender was forced out for the best part of a month.

Kanyuka returned to first team action against Oldham on Tuesday and is determined to make himself a regular in Town's back line until the end of the campaign, including against Leeds at the County Ground today (2pm).

"Jerel knows that he's going to have to fight to get his place back," he admitted. "I'm alright with him - we get on fine - and there's no hatred between us. It's just football and you're going to get that.

"I've been at clubs where there's players playing ahead of you. It's your job and if you're not performing then someone else comes in.

"Healthy competition brings the best out of you and I hope it will bring the best out of both me and Jerel."