Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has urged the new-look Richard Dunne to take his chance by earning a recall to the first team.
The Republic of Ireland defender is pushing for a place in the side to face Southampton on Saturday after being recalled in midweek.
Dunne, who has shed weight, helped City overcome QPR at Loftus Road in the Carling Cup.
Keegan said: "I think Dunney is doing everything he can to show us and really show himself that he has got a future here.
"His weight is terrific now and his fitness levels are as good as they have been probably in years.
"He has now got to wait for that chance. He isn't going to walk back into the side but he is very close."
Dunne is anxious to win back a regular role in the side.
"I am not unsettled, I am grand," he told the Manchester Evening News.
"The manager has said to me on plenty of occasions just wait for a chance and then it is up to me.
"It was great to get 90 minutes under my belt at Loftus Road, although I was blowing a bit at the end. I need more games really but I feel reasonably fit."
PA