Cape Town - After a lengthy spell on the sidelines, new Maritzburg United recruit Keagan Buchanan accepts it will take time to find his best form.
Buchanan spent much of his time at Kaizer Chiefs out of action due to injury and made the move to Maritzburg in the off-season.
He started for the Team of Choice in midfield in their opening match of the league season, a 0-2 defeat to Golden Arrows, but was substituted at half time for another new arrival, Tholang Masegela.
Buchanan says he's pleased to be back on the park again, and while admitting it was tough being out for so long, he is feeling optimistic about his prospects with the KwaZulu-Natal capital city club.
"(There was a) lot of bleak days (during his time out injured) but there's no use in sulking about it; it's my job, it's my profession," he told the media after Sunday's defeat to Arrows.
"I need to be there playing so I can provide for my family, so obviously I'm happy to be back.
"It was difficult to be out for that long and coming back I'm not expecting miracles immediately. But I'm fortunate to have the confidence of the coach and he knows how to get me to my best."
The departure last week of Lebohang Maboe to Mamelodi Sundowns could mean that Buchanan will be the man to directly replace the former Team of Choice playmaker, although the Cape Town born midfielder is keen to play down any comparisons.
"I wouldn't say necessarily to fill the void that he left. I mean, whenever you come to another team and you come from one of the 'Big Three' there's always pressure, irrespective of what team you are playing for.
"There are expectations and its part of the job. And yes, we lost a brilliant, brilliant player. As a team we happy for him but our focus doesn't lie over replacing him, we are just moving on as a team."