Midfielder Matty James says he is determined to stake his claim for a regular starting place in the Leicester City side.
James was sent on from the bench after just 32 minutes of Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace as manager Nigel Pearson made a tactical switch with his side 2-0 down.
"I have no problem not being in the side and I can't moan," said the summer signing from Manchester United.
"The team has been playing well and I have to just bide my time.
"It was an opportunity against Palace and it was hard going on as a substitute.
"Fingers crossed, if I get the nod against Watford on Saturday I can try to impress and stake my claim for a place in the team."
Whatever side Pearson puts out on Saturday at Vicarage Road, James believes there is enough quality within the City squad to hit back from the disappointment of losing their 100 per cent home record to Palace.
"This is a test of character," said James. "It was going to come and it is just how we react now. It is down to us now and this group of players are easily capable of bouncing back from this defeat."
James accepted that, against a strong Palace side, City had not hit the kind of form that had seen them string together six successive wins in front of their own fans.
He added, though, that there was no point dwelling on the disappointment.
"We have to hold our hands up and say that we weren't at the races," he said. "We have to try to move on.
"We haven't got a midweek game this week so we have time to recharge our batteries before going to Watford."
James was sent on as an early substitute for Lloyd Dyer on Saturday as Pearson attempted to give his side a foothold in the game after they conceded two quick goals from set-pieces.
"My instructions were to just try to shore up the midfield," he said "Palace had three in midfield and we were playing 4-4-2, and they felt we were getting a little over-run. I was there to try to stop their attacks, get on the second balls and try to play in their half."
The move was effective but, against such a well-organised side as Palace, City still struggled to impose themselves and Andy King's stoppage-time header proved only a consolation.
