GRETAR Steinsson’s triumphant return to the Wanderers team in midfield has given Gary Megson food for thought.

The Iceland international played a key role in the 3-2 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday playing in front of Sam Ricketts, the man who replaced him in the Whites’ line-up at the start of the season.

Steinsson missed the first two games of the campaign through illness but bounced back with a bang with a creative display in the role he often fills for his country.

Now Megson — who expects to welcome Johan Elmander and Ricardo Gardner back into the squad for Saturday’s home game against Stoke City — admits he has a selection dilemma on his hands.

“I thought for the first half an hour he was a major threat, and the two passes he stuck through were terrific,” the manager said.

“He got down the sides once or twice and I think he did really well, so it’s something to think about. When he plays full-back, his strengths are going forward. I think Sam Ricketts at full-back is steadier than Gretski. Sam has got good quality in terms of crossing but Gretski is more dynamic and so that’s why we played him in front.”

Megson has already shown that he is willing to utilise players outside their natural position with Gardner, who is now regarded more as a central midfielder than the full-back/winger role he fulfilled for nearly a decade at the Reebok, while Matt Taylor was used on the right wing for the first time in his career last season.

“The size of the club that we are and the size of the squad that we have got mean that sometimes we have to put square pegs in round holes,” conceded the Wanderers boss. “Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t.

“Matt Taylor played on the right side of midfield last season and got goals, and Bibi (Gardner) played in the middle because he is good at closing down, carrying the ball and has got an eye for a goal.

“Putting Gretski there on the right enabled us to put Kevin Davies up top against Portsmouth and we looked a little bit more solid because he is, in effect, a full-back.

“It’s just another option. We have to have players that are adaptable and thankfully they accept that.”

Steinsson himself was relieved to be back involved on matchday after being struck down by a virus last month.

The 27-year-old completed his rehabilitation by featuring for his country in World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Georgia, and reckons his new position required a little adjustment in his usual preparation.

“I found out the day before that I would be playing and had to change my mindset a little because I had played at right-back for such a long time,” said Steinsson.

“I had to switch my mentality and try to help Davo because a different type of running is needed.

“But I enjoyed being back in the team and wanted to show that I am ready to take my place again.”