By Chris Harvey Last updated: 6th November 2008
Kranjcar: Aiming for starting berth at Sunderland
Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar has vowed to bide his time as he looks to force his way into Pompey's starting line-up.
The Croatia international is looking to start for Tony Adams' side at Sunderland after coming off the bench to score against Wigan.
Kranjcar replaced Armand Traore at half-time last Saturday and scored an 82nd minute equaliser before Emile Heskey netted a last-gasp winner.
The 24-year-old hasn't started a match since the opening day of the season against Chelsea. He has recently been sidelined with an ankle injury but is now fully fit and looking to reclaim his place.
However, he realises he faces a tough task to force his way into the starting eleven.
He told the Portsmouth News: "It's great to be back, great to play football again. I'm just feeling great at the moment and to score again was fantastic.
"I've been out for a while, but my general play is the most important thing and I was pleased with how it went [against Wigan].
"I want to get back into the side, but I believe we as a team have unbelievable individuals and obviously everyone wants to play, so it's going to be hard competition for places.
"There are quality players at this football club and every one of them is going to lift elements of the team and help us get the results."
Kranjcar admits defeat last weekend was a blow but is confident things are on the up under new boss Adams.
He said: "Wigan didn't go so well - we created unbelievable opportunities but couldn't manage to get anything from it
"But we've still got good players here and, obviously, I'll have to wait for my chance to get back into the side - I realise that."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Hull vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Everton |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Everton |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Tottenham |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Wolverhampton vs Birmingham |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| West Ham 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tottenham 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Man City 3 - 3 Burnley | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Fulham 3 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Burnley 2 - 0 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Portsmouth 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 2 - 2 West Ham | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 12 | 30 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 11 | 25 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 12 | 25 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 12 | 22 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 12 | 21 |
| 6 | Manchester City | 11 | 20 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 12 | 19 |
| 8 | Sunderland | 12 | 17 |
| 9 | Stoke City | 12 | 16 |
| 10 | Burnley | 12 | 16 |
| 11 | Fulham | 11 | 15 |
| 12 | Everton | 11 | 15 |
| 13 | Wigan Athletic | 12 | 14 |
| 14 | Blackburn Rovers | 11 | 13 |
| 15 | Birmingham City | 12 | 12 |
| 16 | Bolton Wanderers | 11 | 11 |
| 17 | Hull City | 12 | 11 |
| 18 | West Ham United | 12 | 10 |
| 19 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 12 | 10 |
| 20 | Portsmouth | 12 | 7 |
Paul Merson can't separate Bolton and Blackburn - but thinks Stoke will see off Portsmouth.
Cheating isn't on the rise in football, says Andy Gray, but officials do need more help to get decisions right.
Paul Merson expects Liverpool to beat 'Hollywood' Man City - if Rafa Benitez picks his best team.
The Premier League recommences on Saturday lunchtime as Rafa Benitez's Liverpool go head-to-head with Manchester City at Anfield.
Sir Alex Ferguson says Chelsea's five-point lead at the top of the league is not insurmountable.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed that Luka Modric's return is still some way off.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has refused to confirm whether the club have made a move for Sergio Aguero.
Man City boss Mark Hughes insists goalkeeper Shay Given is strong enough to cope with his World Cup heartache.