Lincoln City defender Aaron Brown says he is hoping to re-establish himself in the Imps' first-team line up.
The full-back came on as a substitute for Frank Sinclair in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Morecambe.
Brown told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "I was ill and missed a game, Lee Beevers came in for me and to be honest he's been excellent.
"Obviously there's competition for places, but now Frank's injured I can hopefully stay in the team," he added.
Sinclair hobbled off after less than half an hour of the Imps 1-1 draw with the Shrimpers, in a game City really should have won.
However Brown has also admitted that he has been playing out of position.
The summer signing from Gillingham, who has played the majority of his career as a winger, says he is coming to terms with his positional switch.
"It's a different role for me, it's the first time I've started a season as a left-back, so it takes a bit of time to get into the swing of things" explained Brown.
"I'm an attacking player and if anyone said otherwise, they'd be lying. I'm trying to add a defensive side to my game and as time goes on it will become more natural."
Brown has certainly looked comfortable further up the pitch, but was given an especially torrid time in the home clash with Dagenham.
"I feel I've been a little inconsistent so far and when Lee Beevers, a natural defender, came into the team and played well, it made it difficult for me to get back my place.
"So it's down to me to raise my game in order to stay in the team."
It remains to be seen if Brown can find the form he requires to remain in the first team, starting with tomorrows clash against Chester City at The Deva Stadium.