Stephen Gleeson feels he is over a shaky start to his Birmingham City career and is starting to show his true colours.
The midfielder, a summer signing from MK Dons, has taken longer than anticipated to find his feet in the Sky Bet Championship.
He has, however, completed back-to-back games for the first time heading into the international break – against Millwall and Charlton Athletic - and believes his form is returning as he settles into new surroundings.
Gleeson said in the Birmingham Mail: “I have had a couple of hard months to start my career here.
“But I have dug in and it was great that the manager (Lee Clark) gave me the shout on the Monday before Millwall.
“I knew that in the two games I needed to prove to him, and probably everyone, that I could play in the Championship.
“Hopefully now I can build my way into the team and start getting a few games because I don’t feel I am match fit yet either.
“These games will go a long way to achieving that and hopefully I will begin to show what I can do.”
Gleeson added: “I have worked hard with (head of sports science) Tom Page to keep my fitness up. But there is nothing like playing 90 minutes.
“I wake up stiff after the game, but that’s the pain you want to feel as a footballer.
“And, as I say, if I can get a run in the team, I really think I can show what I can do.
“I am happy with the way the two games have gone. I feel as if I am starting to settle within the group. I feel good at the moment.”