Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner has admitted that he wants to return to his preferred position quickly.
Gardner has been deployed at full-back by Martin O'Neill so far this season following a pre-season injury to regular right-back Phil Bardsley.
O'Neill has praised Gardner's versatility in recent weeks after suffering a succession of injuries to key defensive players including Wes Brown and Carlos Cuellar.
The 25-year-old revealed that he is aiming for a quick return to an advanced central position when Bardsley is available for selection.
He told the Hartlepool Mail: "I'm a central midfielder. I like to get forward and score goals, that's what I enjoy the most.
"But the manager has asked me to play at right-back until Bardo [Phil Bardsley] is fit and that's what I've done.
"I'm a central midfielder, but I will play anywhere for the good of the team."
Bardsley made the substitutes' bench for the first time this season in last weekend's 1-1 draw with local rivals Newcastle United.
Liam Power
