THE signings of Youri Djorkaeff, Jay Jay Okocha and Bulent Akin have underlined Sam Allardyce's determination to inject quality into his midfield in the coming season.

Good news for those who see greater competition for places as the key to a successful squad ... not so for those in the first team pool who face the prospect of having their noses pushed out.

It all adds up to headaches for the manager and heartache for the players who miss out. But it is all for the greater good and Bo Hansen, for one, is intent on playing his part, whether in the team or not.

"This season is going to be really hard to get into the team because of the size and the strength of the squad we have," the dashing Dane admits.

"But you just have to work hard and be as positive as you can, even though you are not being selected, because everybody is going to get his chance at some stage."

Hansen believes the challenge can bring the best out of the players on the fringe of the first 11.

"It makes you more determined because you want to play," he suggests. "That goes for all 30 of us but the main thing is to support the starting 11.

"Of course, it's okay to be disappointed at not being in the team but you can't let that show to the rest of the lads.

"You just stay positive. There's always the next game and, although we have a lot of players, I'm sure there is going to be a need for all of us over the course of the season. You never know what's going to happen."

There is no question that Wanderers will go into the season better equipped than a year ago and there is a growing confidence in the camp -- generated in no small way by the arrival of world class stars like Djorkeff and Okocha -- that they can do better than merely survive this time.

Hansen has high hopes that the progress made under Allardyce over the last three years can continue. "The new players coming in just gives everyone a boost," he explained.

"Our squad is so much stronger than in the last couple of years.

"We know it's going to be difficult. The second season in the Premiership is always a difficult one but the new players who have come to the club are such big talents.

"Youri, Jay Jay ... players everyone knows. You could never have imagined players like that coming to Bolton Wanderers but the last two years have been absolutely amazing.

"Since we got promoted, it's just been going forward for us. It's been fantastic.

"I have had an incredible three and a half years at the club. I was involved when we lost that play-off final against Watford and also in the defeat at Ipswich in the semi-final the following season and still we came back to be where we are now.

"I think that is amazing for a relatively small club."

Hansen accepts that, having seen his first team chances diminish as the campaign went on last season, opportunities might be even more limited this time round but he has proved his worth before and, despite the size of the challenge, is determined to keep his name in the frame.

"We had a great start last year and I was in the starting 11, feeling great after a good pre-season," he recalls.

"Everyone was feeling good then reality set in and we played a couple of below average games and the manager had to make changes.

"But that is something you get used to with experience. You just learn that you have to work even harder to get back in.

"We had problems, especially the season before last when the manager changed the system and we played with one up front and two wide attacking midfield players.

"I'd played the same role in Denmark before I came here but it does take some getting used to.

"It means you've got to run a bit harder and work a bit harder but I'll play anywhere the manager wants to play me. I don't mind, I'm just happy to play."

The highlight of Hansen's first season of Premiership football came at Middlesbrough in January when he famously borrowed Michael Ricketts' golden boots -- and scored the equaliser that earned Wanderers what turned out to be a vital point.

Gold is now his favourite colour and, given the chance, he is hoping to strike lucky again.

"I'm still using the boots," he says, optimistically. "Although I've always said that it's not important who scores the goals, it's always nice to get one or two ... and that's my aim this season.

"I'm 30 years old now and I know now, more than ever, that it's the team that matters.

"But, as a professional, you still want to do well individually."