Nottingham Forest's summer signings have helped raise the level in training, according to striker Sam Surridge.
Sixteen new faces have come through the City Ground doors so far since the Reds secured promotion - albeit Brandon Aguilera immediately headed out on loan. And among them have been statement additions such as Jesse Lingard, Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White, not to mention experienced pros like Remo Freuler and Cheikhou Kouyate.
Competition for a place in the team is fierce, with Surridge putting his hand up for a spot with a well-taken brace in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. But while eager to force his way into the starting XI, the front man has acknowledged the quality boss Steve Cooper now has in his ranks.
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"It's part and parcel of being a Premier League team," Surridge told NottinghamshireLive. "We're always going to sign good players, with the size of the club Forest is. This is no different.
"Other people might be surprised, but I don't think anyone is when they come and see the home stadium. You can see it's a massive club.
"We're all trying to up our game. You can see that in our performances, we've got better and better. Everyone wants to do themselves justice.
"It definitely helps raise the level. In training, it definitely helps. It's just improving the squad. The training has definitely got more intense compared to last year, I can tell you that. It's only going to help the team.
"Everyone is open to it. Nobody doesn't want the signings. Everyone wants the signings, because everyone wants the team to do well.
"It can only be healthy for us. Everyone has got to up their game; when players come in, it's just part and parcel of it. Everyone is relishing it.
"You've just got to take your chance when you can. There's a large amount of players at the moment and everyone is fighting for their place. I'm no different. I want to be playing.
"I'm loving it, being back in the Prem, and with a club the size of Forest, I couldn't have asked for anymore. I'm just working hard, trying to get in the team.”
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