Steve Bruce believes the 7-0 rout of Morecambe has given him serious food for thought ahead of the trip to Spurs this weekend.
Jacob Murphy in particular has offered Bruce a selection headache with a sparkling display on the North-West coast in midweek.
When asked if anybody has played their way into contention, Bruce - who will run a late fitness check on Allan Saint-Maximin - said: "They certainly did everything that was asked of them. They’ve certainly done their bit – let’s hope I do my bit by picking the right team.
“It was the attitude to put it right from the squad which was evident from the first whistle.
"On an awful evening with no crowd, it’s easy to be sucked in and not do it right.
"Thankfully, what should be a given was a given.
"They all worked extremely hard and got their rewards for it.
"From the first minute to the last we were very good – that’s the reaction you want after the weekend."
When asked about Murphy, Bruce said: “It wasn’t just his performance the other night.
"Since we’ve come back and he’s come back from Sheffield Wednesday, he’s not missed a day’s training and been very decent in the warm-up games.
"I’ve been very pleased with his progress.
"The loan situation has helped him and he’s done very well. I’m pleased for him. He’s grasped the opportunity."
Murphy scored at Morecambe and Bruce feels that he can follow in the footsteps of Miguel Almiron who needed a goal to trigger him into action last term.
Bruce said: “There’s nothing quite like a forward player getting on the scoresheet.
"The same sort of thing worked for Almiron last year."
Joelinton's double at Morecambe also set the Brazilian on his way for the new campaign.
Bruce said: "Let’s hope so with Jo.
"We all know there’s talent there – you have to have some ability to score the second goal. We all know there’s a good player in there. I’m just hoping after being here 12 months, we all start to see the benefit of playing in England."
