Krystian Pearce is determined to prove why he has been so highly rated in the past by working his way back into the Notts County starting 11.
Pearce was sent out on loan for the first half of the campaign so that he could regain match fitness, following groin surgery in the summer.
The centre-back returned from npower League 2 outfit Barnet with positive reviews but he is now looking to build upon that with the Magpies.
For the much of his first two seasons with the club, Pearce was a regular in the County rearguard and his performances saw him linked with big-money moves away from Meadow Lane.
However, the 23-year-old has struggled to work his way into first team manager Keith Curle’s plans and the last time he pulled on a black and white jersey was back in March 2012.
Curle has told Pearce that he can still have a future with the club and the former Birmingham City man is out to show the gaffer just what he is capable of at the first available opportunity.
Pearce told Magpie Player: “The gaffer said I needed to go out and get some games before he could even think of putting me in the team, so that’s why I went on loan to Barnet.
“I feel a lot better having played 18 games there and it’s obviously going to do me the world of good.
“I feel sharper and stronger now, because I hadn’t played single minute of football before I left.
“My main aim has always been to get back into the team and I'm going to fight for my place.”
He added: “I’ve had a couple of talks and the manager’s said that the door’s still open for me and there’s a chance for me here.
“I’ve got to prove to him what everyone else has said about me.
"I have confidence in my own ability but I’ve got to show him that.”
Pearce may be included in the squad for this weekend’s trip to Portsmouth.
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