Harry Maguire has targeted more opportunities in the Hull City side in 2015 after struggling to hold down a place in the squad in the early stages of his career at the club.
The 21-year-old impressed in a losing cause on Sunday as Hull crashed out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, and he is hopeful of forcing his way into Steve Bruce's Premier League plans, despite facing competition from the likes of James Chester, Curtis Davies and Michael Dawson.
"Hopefully I can stay involved with the first team now and see what happens," Maguire is quoted as saying by the Hull Daily Mail. "It's the gaffer's decision whether or not I play in the next game.
"I'm still young, still only 21, so there's a lot of time ahead, but every footballer wants to play. I knew when I was signing for a Premier League club I would have to be patient so I'm trying to stay that way.
"If I'm not playing I might have to look elsewhere, but if I can keep in the squad then it's happy days. It was the start I've been waiting for and I feel a lot better for it. I'll feel a lot more confident going into the next game now, knowing that I've taken my chance. Hopefully that will be soon."
Maguire joined Hull from Sheffield United on a three-year contract for £2.5m in July.