Iker Casillas wants to give Jose Mourinho no choice but to reinstate him in goal after he was dropped to face Malaga last month.
The controversial decision prompted much debate, especially after Real went down 3-2, with back-up goalkeeper Antonio Adan taking Casillas' place.
Mourinho claimed the decision was "purely technical" and insisted he did not regret dropping the Real captain despite defeat leaving them 16 points behind Barcelona.
Casillas has been only professional and discreet about Mourinho's decision and on Wednesday told reporters he is just determined to regain his position.
He said: "I'm training myself to fight, to fight and to recover the position. It is the goal that I have and that the coach selects me in the next game."
The Spain international added: "I feel good but I'm not a machine, I have to train every day and there are better and worse times, but I feel fine.
"Above Casillas is Madrid. The decision is the coach's.
"In any case, the day I no longer have the desire to work, I'll stop."
Higginbotham, 34, signed in time to make his debut in the 2-2 draw at promotion rivals Doncaster and played the full 90 minutes.
Blades central defender Neill Collins is expected to be sidelined for the next two months after suffering a triple fracture to his cheekbone in the Boxing Day win over Scunthorpe and boss Danny Wilson has moved swiftly to find a replacement.
Higginbotham, who has not featured for Stoke this season, has recently completed a spell on loan at Ipswich for whom he made 12 appearances.
He began his career at Manchester United, and commanded a seven-figure transfer fee on three occasions when signing for Derby, Southampton and Sunderland. He is currently in his second spell at Stoke.
Rommy Boco fired Stanley ahead after 65 minutes and the Benin international's ninth goal of the season proved to be decisive.
Cook's promotion-chasing side were guilty of squandering a host of opportunities either side of the goal and the Spireites boss said: "It was always going to be difficult. The (Stanley) lads were always going to be up for it with a manager coming back.
"It's a great win for Accrington but we are disappointed as we are looking for promotion but we have a habit of conceding goals and not taking our chances and with that you do not win games.
"It wasn't for lack of effort, we dominated for long spells for we couldn't finish but all we can do is keep working hard."
