Dons midfielder Peter Pawlett hopes he has done enough to earn a recall to the starting XI after being dropped by manager Derek McInnes.
The midfielder and attacker David Goodwillie, both named among the substitutes on Saturday, came off the bench to score a goal apiece in the 4-0 win against Ross County at Pittodrie.
Pawlett was disappointed to lose his place but is determined to return as quickly as possible after impressing in his second-half cameo for the Dons.
He said: “I’m not used to being on the bench, but there is healthy competition for places now and the manager is keeping everyone on their toes.
“The manager has a decision to make and we know we have to work hard week in, week out and show the right attitude to be picked.
“Every player wants to play every single week and I did feel as if I had a point to prove. When I go on I have to show I’m capable of starting and hopefully by scoring a goal I’ve shown the right reaction. It’s up to him to decide if that’s the case.”
The arrival of Kenny McLean and Donervorn Daniels has strengthened the squad considerably, as was shown by the quality of the experienced bench against the Staggies.
Pawlett knows competition for places will be even fiercer at the club.
He said: “I played with Kenny at Scotland under-21 level and he is a great talent and a great lad. He brings quality and he will add another dimension to the team.
“I’m not sure what the financial situation at the club is but if Kenny McLean is available you try to get him and we’ve got a very good player at a good price.
“There is strength in depth now. Look at the bench for this game and there was David Goodwillie, who came on and scored a goal, myself, Willo Flood, Barry Robson, Joe Shaughnessy and Lawrence Shankland sitting there with Jamie Langfield.
“This is the strongest squad I’ve been part of but it has always been the case that we’ve had to show the right attitude to be picked. It is the hardest time to get a start in the team but it’s healthy for the club and will push the performance levels up again and bring the best out of the players.”
Saturday’s win against County took the Dons level on points with leaders Celtic but Pawlett is looking no further than Sunday’s trip to Hamilton Accies.
He said: “It’s one game at a time, that’s what the manager insists on concentrating on. We want to beat our points tally of last season but it’s about the next team coming up, how they play and how we have to perform.”
Loan defender Daniels was substituted in the first half after a back spasm but should be fit for Saturday.