JOHNNY Koutroumbis is back where he feels most comfortable - on the right side of the Newcastle Jets defence.
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The 21-year-old is set to start at right stopper in a back three against Western United at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
The position appears his to lose. Lachy Jackson saw a surgeon in Sydney on Tuesday and is likely to require a knee reconstruction after rupturing his ACL.
Koutroumbis replaced Jackson midway through the first half of the luckless 2-1 loss to Wellington Phoenix on Friday.
Although rusty, he looked far more assured than earlier in the campaign when deployed at left back.
"Lachy going down was such a shame," Koutroumbis said. "I wanted to do my part and gave it my all. I have played centreback before and was familiar with the position."
Caretaker coach Craig Deans has no doubts that Koutroumbis has the skill-set to develop into a top-line central defender.
"He did well when he came on," Deans said. "I think a natural position for Johnny is centreback down the track. He is young at the moment, but I think he has the attributes to be a good centreback. He has athleticism, is a good one-v-one defender, but he is still a young kid and that position takes a bit of time to learn."
Koutroumbis had been used mainly as a left back under previous coach Ernie Merrick. He started the season in front of Bobby Burns but his form and confidence nose-dived.
He was dropped to the bench for the 6-2 loss to Perth Glory and has been unable to win back a place in the starting side.
"Left back isn't my natural position, it never has been," Koutroumbis said. " Ernie trusted me there and I tried my best every game but I didn't have my best performances. Not playing and being on the bench was a reality check. I had to get my head straight and get my head back into the game and train hard and do all the right things. I'm not in the XI yet so I have to try harder and push myself.
"In terms of playing on the right side, I do feel more comfortable.
"It is much more natural for me to go on my right, cut inside or go outside. I can pick my passes and be more composed on the ball."
Koutroumbis has been working closely with Deans since the former national league defender was installed as caretaker coach four weeks ago.
"I have a lot to learn and Deansy is experienced," Koutroumbis said. "He pulls a lot of the boys aside and talks one-on-one or one-on-two. It's at that stage where we need a little bit more information."
Although cementing a place in the Jets starting side is the priority, Koutroumbis hasn't given up hope of earning a recall to the Olyroos after attending four training camps during the qualification process.
"I was ecstatic when they qualified for Tokyo," Koutroumbis said. "It does drive me. I want to go to the Olympics. I'm going to put my head down and try my hardest."
