Didier Deschamps insists there is "no pre-established order" as competition for places hots up in Marseille.

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps insists there is "no pre-established order" as competition for places hots up in his squad ahead of the new Ligue 1 season.

Deschamps has been very active in the transfer market since taking charge of OM at the end of last season, bringing in 10 players over the summer.

There is strength in depth in every department, especially at centre-back and up front where the likes of Vitorino Hilton and Brandao - first-team regulars last season - are suddenly under pressure for their places following the recent signings of Gabriel Heinze and Fernando Morientes.

But Deschamps is adamant team selections will be based on form not reputation, telling French newspaper La Provence: "There is no pre-established order - we will see, there will be a lot of matches."

Hilton was a first-choice pick at OM last term but with Heinze, fellow recruit Souleymane Diawara and fit-again Julien Rodriguez in the squad, the battle for a starting spot is on.

"I have spoken about it to Vitorino," Deschamps said.

"There is competition and he is fully conscious of that. He is ready to win his place in each match.

"I've said to him that OM are a big club engaged in every competition. In these conditions, I must be able to call upon four top-class defenders and I have four."

As for the fight for the lone-striker berth between Morientes and Brandao, Deschamps added: "In my head, there is no number one or number two in this position.

"It will depend on a lot of things, starting with success on the pitch."

Marseille, who finished second in the championship last season, open their Ligue 1 campaign with an away match at Grenoble on Saturday.