Alex Tettey had to draw on all of his experience to help Norwich City earn a morale-boosting clean sheet at Bournemouth.
The Canaries' longest serving current player returned from two games out with a thigh injury to add steel to Daniel Farke's midfield, before dropping to centre-back five minutes after half-time when Ben Godfrey limped off injured.
"We needed a clean sheet, regardless of whether I was playing in midfield or the centre of defence, we needed this," said the 33-year-old.
"In the second half we grew more and more, it looked like we were going to get a goal, but happy with a point at Bournemouth for everyone who really dug in - and a clean sheet."
Tettey was among several fit-again players bolstering City's options for the game on the south coast but it was dropping into central defence alongside Ibrahim Amadou, who is also primarily a defensive midfielder, which made his return particularly challenging having only played at centre-back in training previously.
"We ended up with two holding midfielders at the back, which just again shows the situation we are in," the former Norway international continued.
"We have a couple of options but the position where you want people back we are still a bit short, but it's not as bad as it was a couple of weeks back."
MORE: City keeper heaps praise on Tettey following valuable draw at Bournemouth
With Grant Hanley and Christoph Zimmermann out injured until December and Timm Klose set to miss most of the season, Tettey could well have to stay at centre-back against Manchester United on Sunday,
"It depends on Ben at the moment, he did really well coming back, the record holder for coming back from a hernia operation!" he added.
"He did everything he could so now it depends how painful it is and how quickly he can come around for the game on Sunday.
"If he's not there then I guess I will have to step in again. Not ideal, against my favourite team! But if needed, I will step in again, without any doubt, that's what we need from everyone now.
"It can be tough for defenders who are fast as well but I used my mind, I know when to drop off when someone is quick, or when to push up. All those things need practise so I can step in when the manager needs me to."
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