Aaron Hughes is confident he can fill the gaping hole left by injured skipper Olof Mellberg if moved into central defence by Aston Villa manager David O’Leary.
Hughes is a strong candidate to take over from Mellberg, who is likely to miss Villa’s next five games – including the entire festive programme – with a hamstring injury.
Hughes has filled the role before for Newcastle and looks favourite ahead of Mark Delaney, who has been out for a month with a groin injury, to partner Liam Ridgewell against Manchester United on Saturday.
Hughes said: “I don’t know if it will be me playing centre-back but if the manager wants me to go in there I will be fine with that.
“When I started out I played in the middle and most of my appearances for Northern Ireland have been there.
“I only really moved to full-back during the past couple of years at Newcastle.
“When I came to Villa, it was basically to fight for the right-back spot and people like Mark Delaney and Ulises de la Cruz have played there.
“But if I was needed to play anywhere else for the sake of the team, then I’d be willing to do that.”
Mellberg expects to be sidelined for three weeks and it puts a large responsibility on Ridgewell.
The England U21 player has had to operate in the role for most of the season because of Martin Laursen’s long-term knee injury.
Ridgewell recently conceded four penalties in the space of five games but has impressed O’Leary with his character and response to such adversity.