The defender admitted he was not prepared to waste his time at Pompey like he did last season.

The 31-year-old confessed he lost his focus after being left frustrated on the sidelines.

Now he has asked for his manager to give him the games he thinks he deserves.

Lauren has been an unused substitute in the first three Premier League games of the season and was given a runout from the bench in the Community Shield.

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And the former Arsenal man insisted he was ready for regular football.

Lauren said: 'I feel much better now.

'I feel much stronger than last year and I feel more committed.

'My head is at the club now.

'I want to be part of things and not waste my time like I did last year.

'I have one more year to go here. I'm not worried about anything.

'I needed to be more committed to the team. I have to be honest with myself, but the coach has to be honest.

'When I feel good and I feel ready I need to be coming into the team.

'I am honest. I have not been 100-per- cent committed.

'But they have to be honest too. When I have felt ready I have not come into the team.

'This year I feel I will play a lot of games.

'When the gaffer gives me the chance I will give 100 per cent. It's hard mentally when you don't.

'When I get a chance I will be ready.

'In Europe we will hopefully be playing three games a week this season.

'I don't see why I won't get a chance in the team.

'When I am given a chance I will perform.

'I feel as strong as ever. I had an operation and I feel confident.

'I know I am 100-per-cent fit and when I get a chance I will be ready.'

Despite his fine pedigree in the game, Lauren has a fight on his hands for a starting place at Pompey, with Glen Johnson the number-one choice at right-back and a host of names to battle it out with for a midfield slot.

The Cameroon international has also been hindered by knee problems in recent years.

That stalled his progress at Arsenal and has also seen him sidelined in his time at Fratton Park.

But the right-sided player felt he was now on top of the injury.

He admitted the knee could not take the stress it once could.

But Lauren felt he could continue to play regularly with careful management.

He said: 'I've started well and am feeling fit after pre-season.

'My knee cannot be used for long periods of time.

'If I don't do anything for a few days then start to work on it I feel the impact.

'It is not like it was when I was 20!

'I feel much better and I feel 100-per-cent committed, which is what I need to be.

'And I feel the knee is fine.'

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