Baird sure he can keep out Pantsil

Published Mar. 2, 2010 11:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

A knee injury has kept Pantsil on the sidelines at Craven Cottage in recent weeks, allowing Northern Ireland international Baird to step up to the plate. And despite his own goal in the recent win over Birmingham, Baird has performed superbly as part of a defence that has helped Fulham go eight games unbeaten. Pantsil should be available again to Roy Hodgson very soon, but Baird believes he can keep him out of the side. "The shirt's mine to lose," Baird told the Fulham Chronicle. "It will be interesting to see what happens when John's back. "The more good things that go right for me and the team, then it's up to the manager if he wants to change it. "I feel like I've taken my chance, in midfield as well as right-back. The manager needed cover here and knows I can play anywhere."