Tottenham defender Kyle Walker has said he would happily play every minute of every game but understands manager Mauricio Pochettino's desire to rotate his full-backs.
Walker sat out the 4-1 Premier League win over Sunderland on Saturday but then captained the side and played the full 90 minutes in Wednesday's 2-0 FA Cup third round replay win at Leicester.
Pochettino rarely plays his full-backs in back-to-back midweek and weekend matches, and Kieran Trippier is expected to return at right-back for Saturday's London derby at Crystal Palace.
Walker, who has missed just two league games this season, told reporters after the Leicester game: "The full-backs that play for Tottenham are explosive players.
"They cover nearly the most ground on the pitch, getting up and back, so it's vital that we come into the games fresh rather than playing two games in a week.
"Whoever comes in does a fantastic job and they don't look out of place. I'd love to play every game but I'm 25 now, I'm getting a little bit older, and I have to be careful.
"In my first three seasons at Tottenham, I played 150-odd games. It's fantastic to play these games, but sometimes to take a back seat and have a look from the outside in is important for improving your game as well."
Walker believes a strong preseason has been vital to his own improved fitness levels after two injury-hit seasons.
He said: "I missed it last year and I was always playing catch-up. I was always two steps behind everyone.
"This season I've had a good pre-season and I feel very match sharp. Fitness-wise I feel very good, and hopefully it can carry on."
Spurs secured a fourth-round trip to League One strugglers Colchester United in the FA fourth round thanks to goals from Heung-min Son and Nacer Chadli.
Walker said the performances of Son and Chadli, both of whom have struggled for minutes since returning from injuries, showed Spurs' options.
"I believe there were eight changes from the weekend so it shows the strength in depth we have. There's a bright future for this club and I'm glad to be a part of it," he added.
Asked how it felt to captain the team, he said: "I've done it before in Tim Sherwood's first game, West Ham at home [last season]. It's a great honour to captain here."