Manchester City's Eliaquim Mangala says he is ready to seize a regular spot in the starting eleven in the closing weeks of a frustrating season, starting against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Frenchman has endured a difficult debut season in English football, with City still battling for a second-placed finish behind runaway leaders Chelsea.
But, with captain Vincent Kompany ruled out with a thigh problem, Mangala is targeting the final few games of the Premier League season to show City fans his best form.
“It’s true that I had a bit of start-stop season,” Mangala admitted. “Now I have the chance to play more because Vincent is injured and it is important I use the opportunity well and gain more experience.
“We have four important games still to play and we need to ensure we qualify for the Champions League and finish positively.”
In Kompany's absence, Mangala has lined up in recent weeks alongside Martín Demichelis, ten years his senior - and Mangala feels their partnership has proved a promising one.
“Everything is going well with Martin,” he says. “He is a very experienced player and I have a lot of things that I can learn from him.
"His style of play is a bit different from mine. He is calm and he anticipates more than just looking to win a challenge.
“We communicate on the pitch in Spanish together easier but we also sometimes we speak in English as well.”
Mangala also spoke of the enjoyment of linking up with some friends in the Spurs squad, with fellow Frenchmen Hugo Lloris, Etienne Capoue and Benjamin Stambouli all international teammates at various age levels.
However, he accepts that City have a challenge on their hands when it comes to dealing with Harry Kane - though the 30-goal England man watched the reverse fixture from the bench as a Sergio Agüero-inspired City romped to a 4-1 victory at the Etihad.
"He has a very good season. He is young and I think that for us it’s more challenging and exciting to play against a player who is in such a rich vein of form.
“It’s a test for us because he has scored a lot of goals against very good defences so it will be a busy afternoon, I’m sure. I think it will be a good game and I intend to win my battles to ensure we travel home with three points.”