Craig Gordon has said that he wants to reclaim the Sunderland number one jersey when he returns from injury.
The Scottish keeper has been on the sidelines because of knee surgery in April.
"I think everybody will be looking at me when I come back from injury to see what effect it's had on me," the 28-year-old said.
"So I'll come back and try to prove myself all over again, the same as you do when you first come into the team."
Sunderland have started their first two games with young Belgian Simon Mignolet between the posts, but Gordon is confident in his ability to reclaim the number one spot.
"It's not a concern. Once I get fit, there is good competition there but, as a professional footballer, I back myself and I back my own abilities.
"If I can get back into training and train well, I don't see any reason why I won't be picked to play in the first team."
Gordon became the record English signing for a goalkeeper when Sunderland signed him from Hearts in 2007 for around £8m. Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea now holds the record at a reported £18m.
