BURNLEY midfielder Marvin Bartley says any new arrivals must be prepared to fight for their place as the competition to start the new season hots up.

The Clarets have so far added only one new face to the squad this summer, with defender Ben Mee arriving on a season-long loan from Manchester City late last week, after Steven Thompson, Kevin McDonald and Remco van der Schaaf were released at the end of last season.

Graham Alexander and Chris Iwelumo have left the club since the squad returned for pre-season training, while Clarke Carlisle has joined Preston on a season-long loan.

Manager Eddie Howe says he is looking to boost attacking numbers with a new striker to compete with three other recognised centre forwards in Jay Rodriguez, Martin Paterson and January signing Charlie Austin after allowing targetman Iwelumo to join Watford on Tuesday.

And he remains on the lookout for further reinforcements after revealing he wants “two or three quality additions” - ideally before the campaign begins with the visit of Watford on August 6.

But Bartley has urged the current crop to make their mark on the manager now.

“All teams bring in new players and they'll be welcomed in the same as I was,” said the 25-year-old, who Howe signed from his former club Bournemouth soon after taking charge at Turf Moor in January.

“Hopefully they'll fit in quickly if new players are to come.

“But you've got to stake you claim and bat it out whether it's a small squad or a large squad.”

In three pre-season friendlies so far, Howe has given little away of his intentions for the starting line-up to face Watford.

Bartley featured in the second half of Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers as one of seven second half substitutions.

Bartley said: “He's mixing and matching it with everyone – I think a lot of managers do and it does keep everyone on their toes.

"When you go out there you know you've got to put a performance in because no-one know who's going to start the season.

“It keeps everyone on their toes and everyone fighting.”