While his team-mates embarked on a brief holiday after the conclusion of last season, Marques journeyed to Africa to answer a call-up to Angola's national squad and make himself available for four international games during the month of June.

Angola fulfilled World Cup qualifiers against Benin, Niger and two against Uganda in the space of 23 days.

Marques was subsequently allowed the longest possible rest by Leeds, who sensibly declined to field him during their first two pre-season friendlies, but it was a meagre rest after a season which spanned 55 matches.

In spite of his crammed schedule, Marques succeeded in displacing Lubomir Michalik from the centre of United's defence and regaining a position which he lost during the final stages of last term.

But an improvement in his own condition and form will be crucial, Marques believes, if he is to prevent the Slovakian from ousting him once again.

"It's nice to be involved with your country and it's good experience for me to play with the international team," said Marques.

"But, at the end of the day, it means you don't get the chance to have a rest.

"It's like you're carrying on from the end of last season. I had a very short break and that's why I feel that I still need a couple of games to be at my best and to be as sharp as possible.

"I'm fit and it's no problem for me to play, but I know myself where I want to go and where I want to be. At the moment I feel that I'm not there.

"But it's not the case that I can't play – of course I can. It's just that I want to be at my best, and the sooner I reach my peak the happier I'll be.

"I believe I'm still trying to get to my best. I'm probably a little bit behind the other players. I know that I need to play well and be consistent to keep my place."

Michalik and Paul Huntington formed the basis of Gary McAllister's defence for the final two months of the 2007-08 season – Marques sustained a hamstring strain before their visit to Doncaster Rovers on April 1 and became trapped on the bench as a result.

However, United's manager took the step of refreshing his line-up by selecting the largely untested pairing of Marques and Huntington on the first weekend of this term.

Their partnership was largely effective at Scunthorpe United and against Chester City, but Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Oldham Athletic at Elland Road was less of a success.

Though Michalik was left out of the 16-man squad named by McAllister to face Oldham, the loss alerted all three of United's recognised centre-backs to the potential cost of poor performances.

Marques said: "When one of us gets the chance, it'll be difficult for another player to get back in because we have a lot of quality in our squad.

"That's why it's important to work well and work to your maximum, then you'll keep your place.

"It seems that everyone who gets a chance here takes it and keeps the shirt.

"That was the problem for me last season. Lubo and Paul were playing well and it was difficult for me to get back into the team.

"Paul was in the same situation when he first came here, and he didn't have it lucky. The club were in good form at that time and he never had the chance to play.

"But I was certain about his quality and it's clear from watching him in training and matches that he's a good defender and a good player. He's a good partner for me.

"All of the central defenders we have here can play well when they're asked to. I'm a bit worried about that because I know I need to be at my peak, and that's why I want to get their soon.

"It will be a really hard season for all of us because if any of us are not in our best shape we won't stay in the side."

Until the very end of last season, Marques was not certain that he would be at Elland Road to see another year as a United player.

The Angolan held protracted contract talks with Leeds throughout McAllister's initial spell as manager and the club suspended discussions shortly before the League One play-off semi-finals to allow Marques to concentrate on the closing stages of the campaign.

The two parties were at odds over the length of the deal being offered and the unintended impasse at first threatened to end the 30-year-old's career in Yorkshire.

An agreement over a new two-year contract was struck suddenly, five days before the play-off final, despite United's intention to delay fresh talks until the summer.

It was an announcement which delighted both McAllister and Marques.
"It's really nice to be settled again," Marques said. "Last season it was difficult for me to be at the club without knowing what was happening in the future.

"But I'm a professional player so I had to deal with the situation.
"I was a little bit under pressure because my family are very settled here and I'm pleased that it's gone now.

"I've got a contract, I'll be here for the next two years and I can focus on my job. I'm happy with that."

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