Last Updated: Wed, 06 May 2009 16:10
Stoke City's Danny Pugh is aiming to prove to Tony Pulis he can be a first-team regular in the final three matches of the season.
The former Man Utd and Leeds midfielder admits he considered leaving earlier in the season when he could not win a place in Pulis' match-day squad.
"At the start of the season it was frustrating, I wasn't even getting on the bench, since Christmas it's turned around," he told BBC Radio Stoke.
"I've just got to prove what I can do, and stay in the manager's thoughts."
But since making his Premier League debut in December, Pugh has clocked up 14 appearances and looks set to play City's last three games at left-back because of an injury to Danny Higginbotham.
"Obviously it's the hardest job of a manager to keep everyone pleased, it's a big squad. I'm just pleased to be here helping the team."