The arrival of English visa player Ashley Dunn has coincided with the return to fitness of a host of players in the seniors.

Kade Rixon, Sean Pye, Ryan Giles and Melkie Woldemichael have all returned in recent weeks, a new found depth creating competition for spots and leading to a two goal comeback against Kingston City last weekend.

Coach Mick Richards said the walking wounded’s return strengthened the entire club.

“Really with the people we brought into the side last week it was like having a completely new team,” he said.

“It’s created competition for spots, allowed us to drop some of our younger guys back into the under-20s and clearly made us more competitive.

“We think it will ease the pressure on the likes of James Coutts, Ben Chaffey and Zac Walker — let them play their natural game.

“There’s no doubt that some of the under-20s will again be pushing for a senior start in a couple of weeks but if we can keep this group together it will allow us to bring them in one or two at a time.

“It’s not a question of talent but the young guys are exposed when there are four or five of them in the one side.”

Richards is uncertain of the quality of City after a 9-1 thumping by fellow A-League club Melbourne Victory a fortnight ago.

“There is a question as to whether City’s NPL side is as good as the Melbourne Victory side but we will find out on Saturday,” he said.

“It’s all part of a big learning curve for us in our first year.

“The most obvious difference is the workrate of the Melbourne sides off the ball.

“In AWFA you can be a star in attack and not really have to work in defence, that doesn’t happen at this level, everyone has to work going both ways.”