The Dutchman has made just five starts for the Latics since joining from Birmingham in the summer, having been kept out of the side by the form of Valencia and Ryan Taylor.
But he almost turned the two games against the Manchester clubs in the last week after coming on as a substitute, and has pleaded with manager Steve Bruce to give him his chance.
That opportunity may well come, with Valencia interesting both Manchester United and Real Madrid, and 13 days still left in the transfer window.
De Ridder played the final half-hour of the Latics' 1-0 defeat at City on Saturday, and made it plain to Bruce that he fits the bill should Ecuador ace Valencia move on.
"Like Antonio, I will take people on, and I've told the gaffer many times that I'm comfortable on the left as well as the right," said the 24-year-old.
"I got a few more minutes against City than in the last few weeks so I had more time and space to show myself.
"I came in against Man United for the last 10 minutes on the left and I think I've shown now I can play that role."
De Ridder backed his team-mates to bounce back from what they saw as an unlucky defeat by City, with a home clash against Liverpool a week on Wednesday their next game.
"The break we have now is good for those who have been playing a lot in the last few weeks. They can rest and re-charge for Liverpool."
Bruce is also struggling to hold on to central midfielder Wilson Palacios, with Tottenham favourites to secure his signature for around £15m.
But Bruce may already have a replacement lined up for summer, in the shape of Palacios' Honduras international team-mate Hendry Thomas.
Bruce was prevented from signing the defensive midfielder last year, as he had not played enough games to meet Home Office work permit rules.
Now Thomas' agent Luis Carrero claims that the deal will be resurrected in the summer:
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