Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair insists he is prepared to be patient and wait for his chance in the first-team.
Sinclair made his Champions League debut for the club in the 1-0 defeat at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
It was only the former Chelsea man's sixth appearance in all competitions since joining from Swansea City on transfer deadline day.
The 23-year-old says he was all too aware that there would be competition for places among Roberto Mancini's expensively assembled squad when he made the move north in August.
He insists he is determined to work hard in training, bide his time, and be ready to stake his claim when opportunities arise.
"It was great that I started the game [in Dortmund] for my experience in the Champions League, but I'm disappointed we lost the game" Sinclair told the club's official website.
"It's always going to need patience. I'm playing in a great side and I've got to be patient.
"I've got to take every training session as it comes and when I get the chance I've got to prove myself."
Dunne was appointed as U's boss in September, but a revival in the team's fortunes has ground to a halt after defeats in five of their last six games.
The Essex club have been left to dwell on their 5-1 trouncing at MK Dons for two weeks due to their break from action, but Dunne is confident the team has a bright future.
He told the East Anglian Daily Times: "This is the birth of a philosophy that should be here forever, and how we want the team to play.
"I'm keen that, when the day comes and I move on, the next manager must believe in the same philosophy in the future."
Dunne continued: "I still believe we can move up the table.
"We have picked ourselves up. We need to turn it around in December, though we have some very difficult games coming up."
The pair have combined for 10 goals in the last six games, with Mooney responsible for five of those in his previous two outings alone.
The 28-year-old, who had been regularly employed out of his favoured attacking position, has come under criticism from fans in the past but denies this has contributed to his motivation.
"It's just one of those things. I don't think I'm proving anyone wrong. You just want to prove yourself right really and I knew I would once I played up front," he told the East London Guardian.
"Lisbie is a great foil. He's strong, good in the air and links the play great. I just play off him really and he's the one who gives me the freedom to play. In terms of that it's been really good.
"It's been exciting. Me and Kevin have formed a great partnership. He's got five or six goals and I've got five goals in the last few weeks."
