THE acquisition of Jay McEveley is a welcome tonic to Stan and the troops at a crucial part of the season.

It's one more body into the mix when suspensions and injuries on the boggy pitches can start to take their toll.

However, it's a bit of a puzzling arrival because I'm not quite sure how Stan will fit Jay into the equation.

Maybe it comes down to a simple case of availability. Stan will no doubt have approached Graeme to ask who is available and been given Jay's name.

The lad can certainly play in a number of positions, but where remains to be seen.

Mo Camara has done more than enough to convince me that Jay won't oust him from the left back spot.

But equally Mark McGregor has been outstanding since he's come back into the reckoning. It must be like having a new player for Stan, seeing him slot in there at the heart of the defence so comfortably and, particularly against Sheffield United, I thought his performance was magnificent.

He certainly showed me a few things I didn't know her had in his armoury and he dealt superbly with the aerial threat of big Blades striker Wayne Allison.

Big Arthur has done well too in recent weeks, but I would really like to see Mark partner David May in the middle permanently because they seem to be an ideal combination.

Certainly Mark doesn't deserve dropping, that's for sure.

All of that might indicate Mo, who has been the only outfield ever-present this season, being given a bit of a break to accommodate Jay at left back.

Certainly the competition can do no harm for manager or either player and it will be fascinating to see how Stan plays it over the coming weeks and months.

One thing not in doubt is the terrific reception Jay will get from the Turf Moor fans. The days of bad blood between the two clubs are long gone in my book and if you can go to Ewood for players on loan, that shows the depth of feeling in both camps.

It was back in my era - when the local derbies came every year - that the real rivalry existed.

My bouts with Mike England became so brutal, more things went happened off the ball than on it and it got to the stage where people came to see Mike and I slug it out, rather than cheer on their respective teams!

Finally this week, I'm a happy man to see young Richard Chaplow getting a well deserved breather.

The thing that stood out for me against Sheffield United last week is that he now seems ready for a rest.

He has been magnificent this season, but that display wasn't his best by far, so it's a small blessing in disguise that he's suspended.

A week on the sidelines can do nothing but benefit him and I expect him to come back firing on all cylinders again at Preston.