Gianni Zuiverloon: Gonzalo contest will keep me sharp at West Brom

Sep 12 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

GIANNI Zuiverloon is looking forward to the first real battle for his Albion jersey.

The former Dutch under-21 international was due to return from a hamstring injury in time for today’s game against Plymouth Argyle.

But Zuiverloon knows that he will need to produce his best form, not least as Gonzalo Jara has arrived from Colo Colo.

Jara’s best positions are at right-back and centre-half, which could potentially put Zuiverloon’s place at risk – but he remains confident.

“It was frustrating to pick up an injury at the start of the season because everything was going well,” said Zuiverloon.

“Hopefully I can play well, especially because we have signed Jara, who is a Chile international.

“I have to play good games otherwise there is someone else who can fill my spot. I feel this year it is going to be harder to keep hold of my place.

“It’s good to have that competition because it will keep me sharp.”

Zuiverloon spent last summer at the Beijing Olympics.

Although his early months at Albion were productive and impressive, his form tailed off during the mid-point of last season.

He hopes that the pre-season break, along with his recent spell on the sidelines, will re-energise him.

“I feel I have more energy than last season because last year my summer break was very short,” he added.

“I really felt that, especially from December to February.

“Now I feel I have more energy and my body is more relaxed.

“I hope this will be a much better season than last season and I can hit the levels I hit at the start and end of last season.”