Motherwell manager Graham Alexander has revealed he's had tough discussions with three Fir Park players over their playing time.
The 50-year-old has not had injury troubles to seek since arriving as 'Well manager in January, but outside of Robbie Crawford who is expected to miss the next month with an ankle injury, he now has a fully fit squad.
The Steelmen have lost their latest Premiership games 2-0 to Hearts and Celtic, with fit players in the stand for the Hoops defeat at Fir Park last week. Motherwell head to Dundee United this Saturday.
"Apart from Robbie Crawford who is out, everyone else is fit and trained this week," said Alexander ahead of the trip to Tannadice. "We have a full strength squad to pick from.
"It's a good position to be in. I don't like to talk about it too much as I know what it's like! The way the players train is helping that availability.
"And it's not just about being available - it's about being fully fit and available. I could be available if needed, but I wouldn't help us win any games as I can't run!
"It's about pushing the physical boundaries as far as we can without breaking down. That's the work that has gone on from the off-season into training."
Alexander admits it's been hard to justify his thought process to those looking to make their way into his team.
"I've had players in the last week who have started games for us this season chapping on my door," Alexander explained. "I want that to be the case.
"When I'm putting the squad together, I wanted a situation where I am leaving excellent players - who I trust - out of the team and squad. I want that as I want a team who can compete with each other.
"That's been the case. I put myself under pressure by creating that squad. I know over the course of a season that helps us. I hope the players know how much I value them all.
"I know I can trust them whenever they are selected. There's healthy competition in the squad and they are fully respectful of the player playing ahead of them.
"I've been in situations before where it's been easy to leave players out. But when I spoke to the three players this week who wanted to be involved, it was hard for me to actually justify my decisions.
"I'm talking small margins, the opposition, taking every scenario into account. But I know there are players who were outside our playing squad last week against Celtic who could come into the starting XI at Dundee United."
Competition is fierce, but Alexander believes the team's improved physical state has aided the team's efforts this term. Motherwell are sixth in the Premiership.
"If I look at the physical stats from the Celtic game, they are superb," added Alexander. "It shows they can produce really good physical outputs.
"They then maintain that and produce in the next match. I believe that's what makes an elite athlete. It's not about being available, it's about fitness levels being at their maximum."
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