SELIM Benachour has reassured his players that everyone will have their part to play over the coming weeks.

Latics go into the crucial Christmas period with almost a fully fit squad, which has led to some tough decisions for the interim head coach.

Benachour opted to give Junior Luamba a start on his return from a three-month injury lay-off for the visit of Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, meaning Hallam Hope had to settle for a place on the bench.

He was accompanied by Harry Vaughan, who had started the previous two games, against Tranmere in the league and Sunderland in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Central defender Harrison McGahey had also been dropped to the bench at the weekend, despite Benachour favouring a back four, while the club’s caretaker chief had previously explained the reason for Jamie Hopcutt’s absence from the line-up after the attacking midfielder was late in reporting for duty at Boundary Park on Saturday.

But he has urged those who missed out on a place in the XI to face the League Two leaders to keep working hard, because their time will come.

"I have to make some tough decisions, it's not easy,” he said.

“We have 26 players but everybody will play. We have a game every three or four days (over Christmas), we will have injuries and yellow cards.

"I decided to play (Jordan) Clarke and Pidge (Carl Piergianni)at centre half (against Forest Green Rovers.

“He (McGahey) will play but that was my choice. I can only pick 11.”

Of his decision to start Luamba in a lone strike role, Benachour insisted he had no qualms about giving the youngster such responsibility against the league leaders.

"I think he showed a lot of good things in the first half, he tried to fight, he kept the ball up front. It's good for him,” he said.

“I think he was tired (in the second half) that's why I changed him but he had a good game.”