BEN Thatcher reckons he can count himself extremely lucky to have made an immediate return to Manchester City's starting line up, writes DOMINIC KING.
The Wales international's season was punctured by ankle problem that required surgery and even though he made tremendous progress to regain fitness one month ahead of schedule, Thatcher anticipated an extended spell on the sidelines.
Stephen Jordan, the man who had deputised for Thatcher, had proven to be a revelation and showed no signs of losing his place, until he damaged an ankle against West Brom on December 28.
When x-rays showed that Jordan had damaged ligaments, boss Kevin Keegan had no option but to thrust Thatcher back into the limelight straight away and the 29-year-old appreciates his good fortune.
"Stephen has done very well," said Thatcher. "When I was out, I went to all the home games and a few of the away games and you could see that he was very steady. He is still learning but he has let nobody down.
"I was fortunate to get back in the side, really. It's a healthy situation for both the club and myself. I'm a good friend with Stephen and there is no animosity between us whatsoever.
"I'm sure the gaffer would like to have two or three players in every position fighting for a place, each being as good as each other and then having to decide who the person in form is for a place."
Thatcher impressed many with his dedication and commitment while working his way back from injury. But while it was vital he spent hours running and cycling, Thatcher points out there is nothing like playing games to get fit again.
"Most days I was able to do a lot of running or I was out on the bike. It was a bit of a killer but it was needed. You have to do so all your muscles are used to it again," he added.
"But it doesn't really matter how much running you actually do. When you play games, you are obviously working on a different level and I needed to get back into it again.
"I was blowing a bit at the end of the Southampton game but felt much better against Arsenal. The games are coming think and fast at the minute and we're not getting much rest but it's needs must at the minute."
When both are fit, who should make first choice? Have your say.
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If they're both fit, how about playing one of them further forward in a left midfield role. It's not rocket science, they're both left footers and it's worth a go. If it doesn't work, fine, but at Jordan's stage in his career, who's to say he couldn't play a midfield role anyway?
thatcher can play on left mid prob solved
SJ will now push BT for that position which is a good thing for City. It means BT can't just show up, he must play for his place. When SJ is fit again, he should go back in. He has a little bit more quickness than BT.
Jordan says today, that as a defender, your mind has to be as quick as your feet. He wants to have a word with Mills, as he must have the slowest mind in football judging by his pace!