Portsmouth midfielder's thoughts on Tottenham and Swansea loanees pushing for his starting spot

The ex-Rochdale man has been a regular alongside Tom Naylor in Kenny Jackett’s midfield during the latest League One promotion push.

However, the Blues boss bolstered his options during the January transfer window.

He recruited Swansea’s George Byers and Tottenham youngster Harvey White on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Ben Close is also an option but is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.

So far, Cannon’s kept his berth in the starting XI and delivered a man-of-the-match performance in Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Charlton.

And the 24-year-old believes Byers and White's arrivals can help bring the best out of him.

Cannon said: ‘You have to strengthen in all departments.

‘It’s good that two great players have come in. It keeps you on your toes because you have got to keep performing.

‘You know that someone is there to come in and take your place if you don’t.

‘It’s good, it is not a bad thing. Everyone gets the decision and it’s good to be kept on your toes.

‘You need to be consistent and that’s what the best players do, so hopefully I can keep doing that.’