Motherwell defender Bevis Mugabi admits he faces an intense week during the international break as he aims to get himself up to full speed again after an injury lay-off.
The 27-year-old hasn't been selected for the latest Uganda squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this week after four months on the sidelines.
But he made his Motherwell comeback earlier this month with a late one minute cameo against Hearts and last Saturday managed the final 37 minutes of the Steelmen's 4-2 defeat to Rangers, in which he scored to make it 2-2 just six minutes after coming on. He also branded the VAR decision to allow Rangers' third goal in the game to stand 'suspect'.
It has been a tough time for the centre-back as his comeback from a knee injury suffered against Celtic in November has coincided with the departure of boss Steven Hammell, trying to impress new gaffer Stuart Kettlewell and a surge in form and defensive displays from the Steelmen.
Calum Butcher, Dan Casey and Paul McGinn have made the back-three slots Kettlewell favours their own, but McGinn struggling with illness on Saturday paved the way for Mugabi to get vital minutes under his belt.
And he says this week will be far from a 'break' as he aims to keep his place in the side for the trip to Hibs on April 1.
Mugabi, whose side will play a friendly behind closed doors against St Patrick's Athletic today, said: "It's been a long time coming since the injury so I'm just trying to get as many minutes as possible.
"I know the team is doing well at the moment so I've had to bide my time to get as many chances as possible.
"There is good competition in the defence, especially as there are a lot of players not playing at the moment who could easily slot in and play.
"I've been training hard for the past four weeks and I'm getting sharper every day and week, so I'm just waiting patiently to get my opportunity to play [regularly] again.
"It was difficult at first, dealing with injury itself and then the recovery process to get back to full fitness and back in the squad.
"I'm training every day with the boys and that is only going to do me the world of good.
"It felt good out there on Saturday. It felt like I'm ready to step up and it was nice to get the goal, it's just a shame it didn't count for anything.
"Now I'm ready for more training, getting more fitness in me, so the next week is probably going to be a tough one for me."
Mugabi is playing under his fourth manager in four years at Fir Park.
Signed by Stephen Robinson in September 2019, Graham Alexander and Steven Hammell have also moved on.
But he says he is used to handling the situation of managers coming and going, and has been impressed by Kettlewell's impact on the team, with three wins, a draw and a defeat so far.
He added: "It has happened to me many times at Motherwell [new managers coming in and having to impress them].
"So for me it is just about adapting to the way the manager plays.
"I know what I am capable of doing and I feel like I'm training well to be ready for selection.
"The boys have played well since the new gaffer came in and the style of football he is trying to implement is working for us.
"We just have to work hard and focus on the next game."
The Steelmen head to the capital in ninth place in the Scottish Premiership, five points clear of nearest rivals Kilmarnock and eight points clear of bottom side Dundee United in 12th.
Motherwell have lost both meetings with the Edinburgh outfit far this season, losing 3-2 at Fir Park in January and 1-0 at Easter Road in October.
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