Real Sociedad defender Ion Ansotegi has insisted he is ready to grasp with both hands his place in the starting XI.
The Erreala centre-back has been a perennial substitute this season, playing just four League matches.
But due to suspensions and Liassine Cadamuro-Bentaiba's inclusion in the Algeria squad for the African Cup of Nations, the 30-year-old will get his chance against Deportivo this weekend.
“Everyone likes to play,” he told terra.es. “It is not easy being on the sidelines, in fact it's really hard waiting for your chance.
“If you're pregnant you know you have nine months. If you run a marathon, you know you have a few months to train.
“But I have been waiting to play for a long time. I try to just focus on training though, and give my best for my teammates.
“It can be tricky not playing as much as others, but then you visit people in hospital and you realise that there are others who have many, more important problems.
“I prepare every day to be at my best, and hopefully that will pay dividends at the weekend.”
