Andre Boucaud believes he has a fight on his hands to regain his spot in the Notts County midfield but he is relishing the challenge.
The midfielder has sat out the Magpies’ last three games, after receiving a red card in the fixture with Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.
An appeal against the suspension failed and the on-loan Luton man has been left frustrated for the matches against MK Dons, Portsmouth and Sheffield United.
Although disappointed by the sending off, Boucaud has taken the decision on the chin and has now placed his full attention on earning a place in the starting 11.
“I don’t think there was anything wrong with the challenge and it’s been difficult missing three games,” he told Magpie Player.
“You get into a little rhythm and we was doing well but that’s football.
“It’s just decisions and the referee, I think, made the wrong decision and it didn’t get overturned, but it’s just one of those things and you’ve got to deal with it.”
He continued: “It’s been frustrating, because obviously come a matchday I can’t play, I can’t be involved and be available to be picked.
“I’ve encouraged the boys and they’ve gone out in the last three games and done well – very well.
“I’m going to continue working hard and hopefully claim my spot back.
“It’s going to be difficult, because the lads have been doing very well, but I came here with a diffucult problem, coming from non-league.
“I had to work hard to get into the team, which I done, so who’s to say that I can’t do it again.
“I’ve just got to get my head down and continue doing what I’ve been doing.”
Boucaud is excited about the week ahead, which sees County take on fifth-placed Stevenage and league leaders Tranmere Rovers.
He said: “It’s two massive games for the club and hopefully we can get two good results.
“We’ve started the season well and we just need to continue what we’ve been doing.
“If we come out with positive results it will send out a big message, because I think we were going under the radar a bit.
“Now, drawing with Sheffield United and beating Portsmouth, and then the MK Dons game, people are starting to take more note now.
“I think Stevenage coming here, people will think we’re going to beat them, but it’s going to be a difficult game and we’ve got to work hard if we want the three points.”