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Chelsea right-back Geremi is ready to commit his future to the club as he is "delighted to be playing more this season".

The Cameroon international has one more year left on his current contract but wants to stay at Stamford Bridge for as long as he can.

Geremi admitted that the club have yet to open negotiations about a new deal but the defender would be only too happy to remain with the Blues.

Geremi has become the clubs first choice right-back this season with Paulo Ferreira no longer a favourite of manager Jose Mourinho.

Ferreira was once labelled the "best right-back in the world" by the Portuguese coach but Geremi has stepped out of the shadows to make the position his own, with Glen Johnson on a season-long loan at Portsmouth.

Now he is ready to talk contracts with Chelsea whenever they make their move.

Geremi, who turned 28 on Wednesday, said: "I am delighted to be playing more this season. As a player you want to be involved all the time. My job is to be there and try to make the managers life difficult by playing well and helping the team. I always expect to play - thats what I am here for. I still have one year left on my contract and I hope I will fully commit to Chelsea. They have not yet spoken to me about another one. But of course I want to stay, I am happy here."

Geremis form has kept summer signing Khalid Boulahrouz on the bench for much of the season, but the Dutchman is likely to deputise for captain John Terry at Wigan on Saturday if the centre-back is deemed unfit.

Geremi is so confident he has all the requirements to keep the right-back berth that he is not at all fazed by speculation that Chelsea may sign another defender in the transfer window.

He added: "If Chelsea buy more players, it would be great for the team because we are involved in a lot of competitions."

Chelsea go to Wigan on Saturday knowing that by the time they kick off in the early evening, leaders Manchester United, away at Aston Villa, could have increased the gap between the two clubs to five points.

Geremi accepts that sometimes it becomes difficult when United play before Chelsea are in action.

The Cameroonian insisted: "The difference is that we are chasing them this time. There is pressure on us all the time because we dont want to drop points, especially when Manchester United play before us. It is very difficult for us when they play and win. There is a big difference from last year because we were playing and seven or nine points in front. It was easier for us. But this year it is very difficult and the pressure is there all the time. This is a tough period but beating Everton when Manchester United lost to West Ham was a great step for us. We were five points behind them at the start and so to get it down to two points was good, especially as were losing. Now we are in a good place behind them."

Geremi is hoping that Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba can continue his form in front of goal.

The Ivorian has already scored 17 goals across all competitions so far this season, but his form in the Barclays Premiership is now surprise to Geremi.

Geremi maintained: "Didier is on fire. But it is not only Didier it is the whole of the team and the bench, which is important. After each game I shake Didiers hand because when he first came here he was struggling. Now I think he has really adapted to the English league and does what he knows - scoring. He is very strong now. It is not a surprise for me because I know him. I know he is a really great player and strong guy. He has really adapted to the Premiership. Chelsea bought him for a lot of money because the manager knew him and what he can do."