Geoff Cameron is preparing to fight for a place in Stoke City's first team as he closes in on a return from injury.
The 29-year-old has returned to training after he suffered a thigh strain in the opening ten minutes of Stoke's 2-0 defeat against Watford.
Injury 'tough thing to swallow' for Cameron
Cameron was substituted in the ninth minute of the match against the Hornets after injuring his thigh while tussling with Troy Deeney for the ball.
It was only the second time in his Stoke career that he has been replaced during a match and speaking to the Stoke Sentinel he said that the injury was a "tough thing to swallow."
The injury came when Cameron emerged as a regular centre-back this season and helped the Potters record three clean sheets in the four Premier League games prior to his injury.
He said that the run of games in the first-team made him more "comfortable and confident" every time he played.
Where will he fit into the side?
Ryan Shawcross has taken his place next to Philipp Wollscheid in the heart of the Stoke defence and Cameron said that everyone wanted Shawcross "back in the team", not only because of the captain's "calibre" but also for "what he brings to the team."
However, Cameron is ready to "fight" for his place in the first-team and believes that his versatility will be an advantage.
The 29-year-old had spent the majority of his time at the Britannia Stadium at right-back before stepping into Shawcross' boots in the centre of the defence while the captain was recovering from back surgery.
Cameron feels his best two positions are at centre-back and as a defensive midfield.
He added that he thinks he has "played well" alongside Wollscheid this season, but he also "liked" the defensive midfield role he was deployed in against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup.