Leeds United loanee Jamie Shackleton says he must to 'take his opportunities' at Millwall due to the vast competition for places at The Den.
Shackleton initially started his loan spell with the Lions as a regular until Gary Rowett switched from a back five to a 4-2-3-1. He was subsequently reduced to cameo appearances and failed to register a single league start between November and January.
Rowett has preferred a midfield duo of George Saville and Billy Mitchell, but an injury to the latter presented Shackleton with an opportunity to prove himself once again.
READ MORE: Javi Gracia's Leeds United clues for Nottingham Forest visit overwhelmed Arsenal debrief
He shone in a 3-2 victory over Sheffield United, and retained his place in the starting XI for the next three games until a knock saw him briefly sidelined.
The 22-year-old is still fighting for his place in the side and Shackleton admits that patience has been key during his loan in the capital.
“That’s in games especially, that’s the main thing. That’s the part that everybody sees. I had to stay patient and wait for opportunities and take them when they come," Shackleton told Southwark News.
“Billy has been key to a large part of where we are this season. Whilst he’s been injured, it’s important that we don’t stop playing the way that we want to play and that we continue that momentum that we built up beforehand.
“I think we’ve done that over the last couple of months. We’ve been able to keep ourselves or even put ourselves in a better position than we were going into the last couple of months.”
Shackleton made just a one-minute cameo from the bench as Millwall drew 0-0 against West Brom on Saturday. The Lions currently occupy a play-off slot, and boast a four-point lead over seventh-place Norwich City as it stands.
READ NEXT:
Leeds United dressing room on Arsenal what ifs as Elland Road double header target made clear
Summerville grasps Leeds United chance as trio must bounce back for season's critical phase
Javi Gracia says what everyone's thinking about Leeds United, Arsenal and next week's double-header
Relegation picture latest as Leeds United lose at Arsenal and late drama elsewhere
