Sunderland defender Michael Turner is hoping to make his first-team comeback away to Everton at the end of the month.
Turner has been sidelined since late November due to a knee ligament injury and his last appearance was in the 2-2 home draw with the Toffees in the Premier League on November 22.
The centre-half is now eyeing up the reverse fixture at Goodison Park next weekend for his return as he looks to help the Black Cats improve at defending set-pieces.
"It's up to me to get back fit and get back into the team," Turner told the Sunderland Echo.
"It would be nice to come back into a team who are doing well and flying high, though. It makes it easier than if the team is struggling for form and victories.
"It's not all about the two at centre-back. It's about other players in the team doing their job defensively.
"We've defended well from all positions most of the year. Against Stoke, they sent all their big guns forward and they all know exactly where the ball is going.
"They're well drilled and practice every day on situations like that. It's always difficult defending set-pieces like that.
"It was frustrating that we couldn't deal with the bits and pieces."
