ANDREAS HINKEL believes Gordon Strachan will need everyone in his squad as they contest four different trophies this season.

That's why the full-back is not bothered by serious competition for his first-team place from Mark Wilson, Jo Doumbe and Paul Caddis.

The man signed from Seville in January says there is room - and need - for them all and said: "Of course the manager can change or rotate.

"The key to success is if you have good players. Then, if one is in better form you pick him.

"As we go through the season everyone will play enough games, so it's not a problem."

Hinkel knows that, after a thigh muscle tear, winning his fitness battle is just one challenge he faces, and is determined to show Strachan he is ready to resume in the starting line up.

The defender said: "I can only train well and give all I can and then the manager will decide.

"We have a lot of games and we want to win titles. If you want to win titles, you need a lot of players of good quality so it's good for our squad.

"It's better if every player is fit of course because then every player has to give his best to stay in the team."

Regaining his jersey is the main priority for Hinkel, who this week rejected the chance to add to his cap collection with Germany - he was recently recalled to the national set-up - to stay at Lennoxtown and complete his recovery from the injury which has ruled him out for the past two weeks.

He is frustrated at being sidelined and said: "It's not nice, but there's nothing you can do about it, you just have to handle it and look forward.

"Injuries are always disappointing and you just never know when something like this is going to happen.

"It's especially disappointing when I've played all through pre-season and never missed a training session and had no problems, then a few weeks into the season something like this happens."