Wales defender James Chester has admitted his Euro 2016 fears over being a West Brom outcast.
Chester became the most expensive defender in West Brom's history last summer when he joined the Baggies in an £8million deal from Hull.
But Chester started only one Barclays Premier League game before Christmas, and the 27-year-old feared that his part in Wales' successful Euro 2016 qualifying campaign would count for nothing if he could not force his way into Tony Pulis' team.
Wales manager Chris Coleman had expressed his concern over Chester's lack of game-time at The Hawthorns.
But he made 14 appearances after the turn of the year, albeit mostly in an unfamiliar right-back role.
"It's been quite frustrating on a personal level at my club," said Chester.
"I've only played once at centre-half all season, which is frustrating because I feel I am good enough to play there week in week out in the Premier League.
"But the timing has been quite nice. With the Euros coming up it was important to get some game-time regardless of where that was.
"That was my fear. I'd played an important part in qualifying so I was always confident of making the 23.
"But I knew if I wasn't playing for my club it would be really difficult for the gaffer (Coleman) to pick me going into a major tournament.
"So it was nice to get the games I did."
Chester played an influential role in Wales ending their 58-year wait for a major tournament as he struck up a commanding central defensive partnership with skipper Ashley Williams.
Only England, Spain and Romania conceded fewer goals in Euro 2016 qualifying as the Wales defence was breached just four times in 10 matches.
"My partnership with Ash has blossomed quite well since I joined up," said Warrington-born Chester, who made his Wales debut in June 2014.
"We complement each other quite well, and when we've played in a three with Ben (Davies), that's gone well too.
"It's an environment we feel comfortable in and me and Ash have got a good relationship.
"We understand each other on the pitch and we get on really well off it."
Wales have a final pre-Euro 2016 friendly against Sweden in Stockholm on Sunday before heading to France.
They open their campaign against Slovakia in Bordeaux on June 11 before further group games with England and Russia.
"The tournament has sort of snook up on us because we haven't been together too much since we qualified," said Chester.
"Since we've joined up it's been really hard work on the field.
"We're all excited about what's to come and we're confident that we can go out there and perform.
"We know that we've got to keep games tight because with Gareth (Bale) and Aaron (Ramsey) in the team we've got a great chance to win games."
Source: PA
