Sunderland have made five signings this summer and winger Ross Wallace admits the new recruits have cranked up the competition for places in the prestigious first game of the season next month.

Tottenham Hotspur's televised visit to the Stadium of Light will act as a curtain-raiser to the Premier League season and Wallace is keen to be part of the action.

The young Scot is impressed with the calibre of Roy Keane's new recruits but is aware the fresh blood - particularly Kieran Richardson - means a spot in the first XI is far from guaranteed.

"The new signings makes everyone play for their place; everyone wants to play in that first game against Tottenham and it's going to be hard to get in that team because there are a lot of quality players at the club now," said Wallace, who scored in Sunderland's 2-0 win over Darlington on Wednesday.

"I've been pleased with who he has brought in, well he wasn't going to bring in some donkey was he?

"The gaffer has brought some quality players in and we'll probably bring in another one or two which we'll need because it will be another hard season.

"They all look good players who are going to challenge for places. Greg Halford played on Wednesday and did well, Russell Anderson is a good defender, Kieran has come in and they will all be a credit to Sunderland."

Of Keane's summer recruitment drive, much of the focus has been on former Manchester United winger Richardson and Michael Chopra, with Black Cats fans split on the arrival of the ex-Newcastle United striker.

But Wallace, who insists that the betterment of the Black Cats squad is paramount, added: "Obviously Kieran's a high-profile player. He's come from Man. United where he's had a good education, he's had a few games there so he'll be a good player Sunderland which is what it's all about - it's all about Sunderland Football Club and not anybody else."

Wallace was one of Sunderland's better performers at Darlington in what was a largely comfortable display which could have produced more than just two goals, Anthony Stokes bagging the second late on.

Today Keane's side play at Scunthorpe United (3pm) with the new singings Richardson, Chopra, Anderson and Dickson Etuhu all expected to feature.

On Wednesday at Darlington the Black Cats started well with Grant Leadbitter having a powerful shot early on and Wallace admits, with Keane watching on from the sidelines, the pressure was on to perform from the first whistle.

"In every game you've got to try and play well, not just in a friendly. There's no slackening off, especially with this manager.

"We usually start well in games. When the manager first came in we were struggling at the start of games but he's sorted that out now.

"We were hoping to carry on from where we were last May and I think by the time the Tottenham game comes round we will be even sharper and even better."

Defender Danny Collins has signed an improved contract until 2010.