Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery has been encouraged by Angel Di Maria's reaction to the threat posed by January signing Julian Draxler.
The Germany international has overtaken his Argentine teammate in the pecking order since signing from Wolfsburg and has scored four goals in his first five matches.
Although Di Maria is injured and unavailable for Saturday's Ligue 1 clash away at Dijon, Emery has been pleased with his reaction to Draxler's immediate impact -- notably his two-goal performance in a 4-1 win away at Bordeaux in the Coupe de la Ligue last week.
"All of the players are important," Emery told journalists at his prematch news conference at Camp des Loges on Friday. "Angel is injured but his last performance was of the sort that we want from him.
"I believe Angel is getting very involved. We want two players competing for each position."
As well as confirming Di Maria's absence in Dijon this weekend, Emery also revealed that his team will be without goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, right back Thomas Meunier, midfielder Marco Verratti, playmaker Javier Pastore and defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak.
"Kevin, Thomas, Marco and Angel are not available," Emery said. "At the end of training today, Javier felt a muscle problem and so as a precaution he will not be in the squad. He has not played for a long time. There was muscle fatigue. He will work with the fitness staff this weekend.
"Grzegorz is back training with the squad. He will get back into the swing of things by playing with the reserves."
With Ligue 1 leaders Monaco hosting second-placed Nice early on Saturday evening, PSG might be presented with a chance to move into the top two positions -- depending on who wins the clash at Stade Louis II.