The Denmark Under-21 international, who is yet to be handed a run in the first team after joining the club two years ago, is up against captain Sylvain Distin, Richard Dunne, David Sommeil and reserve youngster Paddy McCarthy for a centre-half role.
"We are five players who are fighting for the two places in central defence," he told Ritzau.
"I do not expect to play from the start when we face Fulham. But I will use the pre-season friendlies to show that I should have one of the places and that is what I'm focusing on at the moment."
The 22-year-old added: "It's an important season for me, because I finally have the chance to show that I am a good enough to play in the starting eleven.
"It's gone well during the first few friendlies, but it is also this season that I need to play regularly. At my age, you need to play first team football every weekend."