Dedryck Boyata is prepared to be patient for a regular place in Manchester City's first team. Just as he was against Manchester United last term, Boyata was handed a surprise start by Roberto Mancini in Saturday's excellent Barclays Premier League win over Chelsea.
The 19-year-old accepts with Jerome Boateng and Joleon Lescott nearing full fitness and both Wayne Bridge and Aleksandar Kolarov ready to rejoin Mancini's squad at some stage over the next couple of months, the young Belgian might be pushed down the pecking order.
"I am not in a hurry," he said.
"I need to stay patient and I will wait for my chance.
"It is not a case of having a number of appearances in my mind for this season.
"Around me there are a lot of experienced players. I need to recognise that.
"Also, I am training with them every day and gaining experience all the time.
"As long as I can continue to do that, I am not even thinking about the number of appearances I will make."
