Vurnon Anita is playing week in, week out at Newcastle United – almost five years into his career at the club.
Anita has started all but one of the Championship games for which he has been available this season.
The 27-year-old has craved regular football since joining from Ajax in 2012.
And Anita said: “I’m playing a lot of games, I feel fit and good. I am trying to do the best in training, and the rest is down to the coach to decide if he wants to play me.
“A player always wants to play, I am playing games and really enjoying myself.”
Anita faces competition from DeAndre Yedlin, signed in the summer, with many Toon fans preferring the former Tottenham Hotspur.
“The competition is good,” said the Holland international. “Even if somebody drops out of the team, somebody else can step in and do well. That helps the team, because the level of competition is good.
“Even if you are in competition the team spirit is good. We all want each other to do well.”
Anita missed three games through suspension after his dismissal against Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.
“It felt horrible to watch and not to be involved, but it was good to see my team-mates do well,” said Anita.