Carlos Edwards made his long-awaited comeback on Tuesday - and after 11 months out, he is relishing the prospect of taking on Cummings to wrestle for the place.
The 36-year-old had ruptured the cruciate and lateral ligaments of his right knee and tore his hamstring in a freak accident in the seventh minute of the 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest in September 2014.
He had reconstructive surgery days later and has been pushing himself flat out to get back to playing ever since - so he is happy to have returned and be competing for a place.
He set up the winner in Tuesday’s 1-0 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win over Peterborough and is hoping that can lead to more games soon.
“Competition is what the gaffer needs,” said Edwards, the day after signing a six-month deal which takes him through to January.
“He needs people who will give him that headache. You do not want it to be a no-brainer every week picking the team.
“You need people on your shoulder, breathing down your neck - saying ‘Listen, if you slip, I?am ready to take your position.’ It is healthy when it’s like that.”
Only someone with Premier League experience could have matched Edwards’ attributes, and so it was that Shaun Cummings was signed in January.
But it was not a sad day for the Trinidad & Tobago international.
“With no out-and-out right-back while I was out injured, the club needed to act,” said Edwards.
“I did not think it was the end of me. I was glad and excited because we needed to stabilise in that position.
“It was a blessing. I was congratulating Shaun and welcoming him with open arms. We are fellow professionals, even if we are competing for the same position. That is what you need in a team. It’s healthy.
“I am not going to try and beat him up. There might be a little niggle,” he joked.