Hamilton Accies boss Stuart Taylor says it's up to Matthew Shiels to win a place in his team, as the former Rangers kid nears fitness.
Left-back Shiels joined Accies in the summer, but a series of injuries meant he didn't make his debut until November 27, when Hamilton were knocked out of the Scottish Cup third round by West of Scotland League side Auchinleck Talbot.
An appearance in the SPFL Trust Trophy quarter-final loss at home to Kilmarnock was Shiels' only other game since then, but he has been on the bench recently and has a chance of involvement in Saturday's clash at Championship leaders Inverness.
Taylor admits he needs to be careful with Shiels' rehab, and says the 21-year-old isn't looking like a regular starter, but says when he does get in the team, it's up to him to stay there.
He said: "Shielsy came to the club, he was injured when he came, he played his first game a couple of weeks ago, and has had a wee strain since then.
"He's one that needs built up. He has been out for 11 months in total now, so he's not someone who is going to come back, stay fit, and play every single minute of every single game.
"Players need built up, they need that programme to get themselves back up and having full strength again.
"He's a young kid that has come from Rangers, so going into that first-team environment is new to him, as is playing at this level - there are a lot of new things there for him.
"He is a young kid, but we'll build him up and make sure we look after him in the right way.
"Unfortunately it's the ruthlessness of football that you need to win games, you need to perform, fight for your place, win your place and keep it, and so there are all these different aspects that get overlooked, especially when the younger ones are coming into a team."
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