Gavin Bazunu says he's confident that he can fight his way back into the first team at Southampton as the Saints look to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
The Republic of Ireland international was put straight into the side after his move from Manchester City last year, but he lost his place to Alex McCarthy for the last half a dozen games in a Southampton team that was leaky all season.
The club went through three different managers as they finished rock bottom, six points adrift of Leeds United in 19th position.
It was a steep learning curve for the former Shamrock Rovers player, but his place in the international fold under Stephen Kenny was never in question despite competition from Caoimhin Kelleher.
Russell Martin is now entrusted with leading the club back to the top flight and speaking at the launch of The Boot Room - a Shamrock Rovers initiative aimed to promote the recycling of football boots, with Bazunu himself donating €5,000 worth of boots to get the programme started - the 21-year-old is looking to build on what he achieved last year.
"It was a very disappointing season to finish the way we did, but for me on a personal note, it was a very proud season for me to go in and play 30-plus Premier League games," he told RTÉ Sport.
"I proved to myself that I was able to perform at that level against top-level opposition.
Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu tells @DAVEKELLY4 he is confident of winning his starting place back at club level as Southampton look to make an immediate Premier League return pic.twitter.com/syVW9Nu6yF
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 4, 2023
"It's [losing your place] just part of the game. You have to brush yourself off, train hard and be ready for the next game, as I was with Ireland. You could see from those games that I was in the right frame of mind to perform to my highest level."
With pre-season starting on Thursday and the Saints involved in the Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday on 4 August, Bazunu says it isn’t just a matter of trying to impress the new manager.
"I’m always proving myself to myself, rather than anyone else. I go out there every day in training, and whether I’m playing or not, I’m out there to prove to myself how good I am and hopefully other people take note.
"I think we have a very strong squad to challenge to go straight back up, and I'm sure that’s the ambition of the club, to go back up where we belong."
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