Vito Mannone says helping secure Sunderland's survival would be special - just months after he wanted out of the club.
The goalkeeper went almost three months without a game under Sam Allardyce and was ready to walk away from Wearside in the January transfer window.
But he was recalled for a Boxing Day trip to Manchester City, and despite a heavy defeat it was the Italian's rival for the No 1 spot Costel Pantilimon who was sold weeks later.
Now Mannone is a fixture in the side as Sunderland aim to pull off a fourth great escape in as many seasons, and they go to Stoke this weekend outside the bottom three on goal difference after three clean sheets in four games.
"We are really fighting for each other and you can tell that by watching our performances," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "It's working - let's hope it's enough to gain the points to survive.
"Since the manager came in we had a good relationship. He gave me that chance finally before the transfer window when I was really thinking 'if I'm not playing I'm going'.
"It's great to be back between the sticks and trying to do the best I can to help the team survive.
"When you're fighting at the bottom it's heavy with the pressure, but if you turn it the other way it's nice to do something special for yourself, your family. the club, the fans, everybody involved.
"It's something we want to achieve and hopefully we can do it."