Benedikt Howedes says it "does not matter if or where" he plays in Germany's Euro 2016 opener against Ukraine as the side's team spirit is the most important thing.
Howedes, 28, has been one of a number of Nationalmannschaft defenders battling with injury problems in 2016.
The Schalke captain missed a major part of the second half of the Bundesliga season, starting in only the final two matches for his club.
But unlike Mats Hummels and Antonio Rudiger, Howedes is fit going into Euro 2016, where Germany will start their campaign against Ukraine on Sunday.
"I think the final fitness will come with the games. But I feel well and have the fitness basics," Howedes told Bild.
The absence of Hummels and Rudiger could now also open up a spot in the centre of defence for Howedes. Hummels is still fighting to be fit, while Rudiger has been ruled out of the tournament in France with injury.
Earlier this week, Germany coach Joachim Low said that he will pick either Howedes or Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi -- who did not play in the side's two warm-up games -- at centre-back alongside Jerome Boateng.
Howedes looks a guaranteed starter in any case since his versatility has seen him play at left-back during the 2014 World Cup and at right-back against Hungary last week.
"You can never predict if you play in every match. It also depends on the opponent," Howedes said. "Nobody expected me to play every match at the World Cup, that maybe even includes me. If the coach plans to throw me into every match, I'll gladly follow the plan."
And while Howedes said that Low has already informed him about his plans for the game against Ukraine, he refused to give anything away.
"Anything can happen," he said. "There will be a plan for the first match -- it will show what happens after that, and it will certainly also depend on the match. It's not about me. It's about having the best XI on the pitch. And it does not matter if or where I'll play."
Speaking about Rudiger's "super bitter" anterior cruciate ligament injury, Howedes said that Germany have to "accept the situation as it is and cope with it."
"Since everyone knows what is demanded in every position, we'll manage it," he said. "It's also about the team spirit on the pitch."