STUART McCall knows the headaches are coming – and he cannot wait.

City's unbeaten start has been even more impressive considering the number of players missing.

With numbers stretched, McCall has only been able to name the full seven substitutes once in his side's six league games so far. But that is about to change as reinforcements swell the numbers on the training ground.

Deadline signing Haris Vuckic is likely to play some part this afternoon for the opening reserve outing at Burton, where Matt Kilgallon continues his comeback.

McCall will have Marc McNulty and Josh Cullen available for the weekend trip to Gillingham – and could see James Hanson and Tony McMahon joining the squad again tomorrow.

Rory McArdle is also closing in on his first involvement following shoulder surgery after the end of last season.

McCall, included today among the nominations for the Sky Bet League One manager of the month award for August, said: "It's looking healthier on the injury front with people back. The headaches will begin soon.

"I think a few will be playing in the first reserve game and it's also great to see Rory back training with us. He just needs to get a little bit more power in his shoulder."

Midfielder Nicky Law welcomes the extra competition as City look to build on a start which has seen them soar into second spot.

Law said: "It is going to be a lot bigger squad. Josh will be back and Haris is also in this week as well. Marc isn't far away either and maybe Hans and Macca will be available too.

"Rory is already training with us, so that is quite a few coming in to give us more strength. We might even have a full bench!

"The manager might have seven on the bench for the second time. These are good players coming back too."

Cullen was due to fly back from Serbia today with Republic of Ireland under-21s.

City have taken ten points out of 12 from Cullen's four appearances since beginning his second loan spell from West Ham – but he is not guaranteed to walk straight back in after the team's performance at Millwall.

Law said: "Luckily we didn't miss him too much but Josh has been excellent since he came back. He's got that quality and it's the same with Haris. The competition for places is going to be huge.

"It is not just extra bodies we have but quality bodies. This is a really strong squad. It is also versatile. Millwall was the seventh game where I have played in a different position – seven in seven!

"It means we don't know what the manager is going to come up with on a Friday."

Meanwhile, McCall's manager of the month nomination sees him up against City predecessor Phil Parkinson – who led new club Bolton to the top of League One with 13 points from five unbeaten games – Graham Alexander (Scunthorpe) and Justin Edinburgh (Gillingham).