Steve Simonsen is determined to grasp his opportunity if he is selected to start against Man Utd.
Goalkeeper hoping to start against United
Steve Simonsen is determined to make the most of his opportunity if he is selected to start against Manchester United.
Simonsen has provided back-up to Thomas Sorensen at Stoke this season but he was called into the side to face Blackburn on Saturday when his fellow goalkeeper picked up an injury minutes before kick-off.
The 29-year-old admits it was not ideal preparation for a Premier League match, while he was also disappointed as Stoke went on to lose 3-0.
"I didn't realise I was playing until about 2.45 when Thomas came in from the warm-up and said he didn't think he was going to be right," Simonsen told the
Daily Star.
"This is the chance I've been waiting for, but I did feel a bit hard done by when the goals went in so quickly at Blackburn.
"I found myself looking at the sky a couple of times, wondering what was going on.
"The first half-hour was one to forget, but I made a few saves in the second half."
Patient
Simonsen is likely to get the nod to face United on Boxing Day if Sorensen has not made a full recovery and he insists he would relish the challenge.
Simonsen helped the Potters gain promotion from the Championship last season and feels he has a point to prove after Tony Pulis opted to bring in Sorensen over the summer.
"I was disappointed to find myself out of the team because I thought I had done enough," he explained.
"When I wasn't chosen for the first game it was hard, but you just have to be patient and hope your chance will come.
"I did feel a bit hard done by, but pitting your wits against the likes of (Wayne) Rooney and (Cristiano) Ronaldo is what it's all about.
"It's a great stage to be on and, if it woks out that way, I will look forward to it and hopefully show what I can do."
