Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane says he wants to win back his place in the side on a regular basis.
The French defender had featured consistently in the earlier stages of the season under Rafa Benitez but new boss Zinedine Zidane has preferred the tried and tested partnership of Pepe and Sergio Ramos in recent weeks.
With that pair suspended for the 4-0 win over Sevilla, Varane was given game time although he did give a penalty away.
Speaking to French sports paper L’Equipe, the centre back said he is ready to fight for his place in the Los Blancos team.
“I would like to play every game. The coach knows it. He makes his decisions. Whether he calls on me for several matches in succession or less regularly, I’m working to be ready,” he stated.
He also went on to say that his nice guy reputation is wrong and that he is a tough cookie when on the field.
He commented: “These cliches should stop. To be nice does not mean not having character… without character it’s difficult, even impossible, to last at Real. I’ve been playing against the best attackers in the world for the past five years and I’ve never chickened out.”
