Chelsea's stand-in goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini insists he ready for his first Premier League start of the season against Everton on Sunday.
Cudicini has only played 180 minutes of domestic action during the 2007-08 campaign so far in the Carling Cup against Hull and Leicester, but he maintains that his lack of action does not affect his preparation.
The Italian proved he can cope with a sudden elevation after replacing first choice Petr Cech for the second half of the goalless draw against Schalke in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Cech was forced to retire during the interval after suffering a calf injury in the first half.
A scan has since revealed that Cech has a small tear in the calf and will miss the Everton game along with the Czech Republic's next two internationals.
The unexpected return to action was a boost for Cudicini, who is confident he is ready for his first team bow this season.
Cudicini said: "It's simple; you have to train every day like you are playing every Saturday. All the 'keepers do the same in every team, so you train every day with every man.
"It's quite clear that Petr is a very good 'keeper and I am here to help the team in case they need me and that's what happened against Schalke and I managed to keep the clean sheet.
"It was a good result, especially as Schalke played very well and had quite a few chances to score, so in the end I think the draw is a good result for us.
"They didn't give us the chance to keep the ball in their half, and that's probably why they took the point.
"I think if we look back at the game we can be happy with that and now we have to focus on our next game."
Meanwhile, Chelsea's Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has admitted that Avram Grant's side are missing the inspirational leadership of captain John Terry.
The England and Chelsea captain has been out of action for the club's last six matches in all competitions after undergoing surgery on his knee.
Grant believes Terry is about two weeks away from being fully fit but in the meantime Essien has admitted, that while they are coping without him, they miss the defender's presence.
Essien said: "We miss him a little bit. He's one of the pillars at the back.
"If we can get him back quickly it would be good. At the moment we are coping well and playing some good football," Essien told Sky Sports News.
