MIKE Whitlow summed up the team spirit in the Wanderers camp when he welcomed the competition from fit-again Colin Hendry.

"It's not about individuals, it's a collective thing," the in-form defender insisted. "I love playing alongside Gudni Bergsson but we've got Colin Hendry coming back and that's going to increase competition, which keeps everyone on his toes.

"I'm just enjoying it while I'm in there."

Whitlow, who was plagued by injury last season, has had three outstanding performances at centre-back as Wanderers have stormed to the top of the Premiership but knows his position will come under threat when Hendry, who suffered a knee injury in a pre-season friendly at Southport, is back in the frame.

"We've got nine points but we can't relax until we've got 40," Whitlow told Wanderers' ClubCall. "It's still going to be a long hard season."